After a goalless first-half Anstey Nomads were fired in front with an unstoppable effort from distance - a goal which was ultimately enough for the visitors to win the match.

The game began with a scrappy opening quarter which saw few chances fall for either team. Tom Cursons had an opportunity to get a shot away from out wide after intercepting a wayward pass but the forward could not trouble the visitors goalkeeper from a tight angle.

In the run up to the break The Blues had another chance as Sam Parker pressed, won the ball in the final third and squared it to Curtis Davies in the box - the midfielder then teed up Micah Jebbison’s shot but the winger’s left-footed effort was hit high and wide of the target.

The Nomads had an opportunity to test Ross Durrant from distance but the powerful strike made for a routine save.

An action packed end to the half could not provide a breakthrough goal, Larell King won back possession in midfield and played the ball out to Cursons, who once again found himself in a position to cut in and shoot but The Nomads number one palmed the effort over the crossbar and out of danger.

Back at the other end of the pitch, a failed clearance from The Blues defence deflected goalwards but Durrant showcased his superb reflexes and somehow kept the shot out. However, the ball was still in play and Anstey had a golden chance on the rebound which was scuffed wide at the near post.

Jebbison and Davies linked up again in the visitors 18-yard box and this time Davies got the shot away but was denied by the outstretched boot of The Nomads keeper. Casey Johnson recovered the ball on the edge of the area and won a free kick for the hosts.

Sam Parker stepped up to take the set piece and beat the wall with a threatening strike that looked destined for the back of the net before Anstey’s shot-stopper produced yet another great save to deny the skipper.

The Nomads had the final chance of the half, breaking through on the counterattack, but Durrant rushed off his line and secured the ball from the feet of the visitors forward.

With the wind behind them Anstey started the second half strong, The Nomads attempted several shots from range which had plenty of power behind them but lacked accuracy.

The visitors took full advantage of their quick start and took the lead in the 55th minute with an unstoppable effort from range which found the back of the net via the underside of the crossbar.

As The Blues searched for an equaliser Alex Marshall found fellow forward Alex Hardwick with a neat flick on but the trialist striker was denied by the boots of The Nomads keeper. Adam Clark gathered the rebound and cut in from the left to shoot but the goalkeeper made another great stop.

It was a cagey end to the match and in the final minutes Anstey did enough to see out the win and keep a clean sheet in the pre-season friendly.