CITY of Peterborough gave National Conference East title favourites Canterbury a real scare before bowing to a 2-1 home defeat.

The city side were expected to struggle against a team playing in the top flight of English hockey until recently, but instead there was very little between the teams for the entire 70 minutes.

City manager Jon Short said: "If you'd have asked me before the game what a good score was I'd have said a draw, if not a narrow defeat.

"Canterbury have a big reputation and I suspect they came to us expecting to give us a good tonking.

"But they received a real shock and we all walked off the pitch disappointed that we didn't get a draw at the very least.

"We have set a pretty high standard now and if we match it we will win plenty of games at this level."

The re-structuring of the National League set-up has given City a much harder set of fixtures than in recent seasons.

But they have recruited wisely, most noticeably in the shape of South African Olympian Paul Blake, and if they can maintain the standards seen at Bretton Gate on Saturday they will ruffle a few illustrious feathers.

There was very little between the sides in the opening half as both defences were on top.

Blake organised City's and his positional play and passing skills regularly shone through.

But it was another newcomer who fired the home side into a shock lead on the stroke of half-time.

Danny Needham, a summer signing from Bourne, was the man on hand to take advantage of some rare confusion in the visiting defence. He pounced on a loose ball at the top of the 'D' and fired a stunning shot into the roof of the net.

But crucially Canterbury started the second half strongly and were soon level when a striker was left unguarded at the far post following a goalmouth melee.

And five minutes later City failed to halt a powerful run into the area, a burst which was finished powerfully on the reverse stick side.

City did rally in a match that became stretched as time wore on. New goalkeeper James Richardson made some outstanding stops, while Needham played strongly throughout.

But only half-chances were created and the visitors left the city happy, but very relieved.