LICHFIELD City again fell just short as they were narrowly beaten 2-1 at Vauxhall Motors.
The visitors began brightly and carved out a number of early chances to keep home keeper Jack Atkinson busy.
Kai Cunningham was proving to be a real threat for City, with a ball into the box after a quarter of an hour steered just wide of the target.
Vauxhall had their first opportunity of note after 20 minutes when Dale Jennings was denied by Brandon Bache.
But it was Lichfield who made the breakthrough moments later when Owen Watkins was fouled and then dusted himself down to fire a low shot into the net.
Arthur Lomax fired over as the hosts looked to respond, but City continued to press at the other end too with Cunningham's shot just wide of the upright.
Lichfield keeper Bache produced a fantastic triple save to keep his side's lead intact on 42 minutes – but he then went from hero to villain after bringing down Jennings for a penalty which was converted by Michael Burkey on the stroke of half-time.
The game was turned on its head ten minutes into the second period when Kevin Ellison's shot was blocked, but an attempted follow-up clearance cannoned into the net off Vauxhall's Jacson Coppack.
City's hopes of getting back into the game were dealt a blow 15 minutes from time when Watkins was given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow of the afternoon.
Things almost got worse late on, but sub Ben Dufton-Kelly's curling effort was just over the top.
Lichfield Live has been keeping local communities informed for almost two decades – but as a Community Interest Company we can only continue reporting with your support.
