Both sides struggled for form during their first spell in organised football with Yaxley failing to win a game all season while City fared little better.

This time round and there's still nothing to chose between the teams but instead of propping up the table, the chilly basement has been swapped for a far more comfortable mid-table berth.

The reason for the remarkable transformation is that over the summer both sets of players worked tirelessly to improve all aspects of their football.

And it was clearly time well spent as good passing, excellent defending and some nice finishes - from Yaxley at least - were the hallmarks of a contest which proved just how much can be achieved in 12 months.

Both sides contributed to an excellent contest which warmed the cockles of all those watching in near Arctic conditions.

After a hectic opening it was the visitors who went close first with Ryan Ellwood and Curtis Reeve both forcing good saves from Cuckoos' goalie Kyle Nottingham.

But against the run of play it was Yaxley who made the breakthrough when Dwain Gillies' low shot beat Lewis Salmon and flew into the bottom corner.

The goal was harsh on City who tried in vain to find the equaliser before the break only to find the likes of Scott Nottingham and Harry Somers had not forgotten their defensive duties.

It was a pattern of play which continued in the second half in which Yaxley sat deep and soaked up City pressure while launching the occasional counter raid into enemy territory.

It was on just such a raid that Haydon Alberga broke the challenges of James Phillips and Sam Shields to fire home and double Yaxley's lead.

And while Ellwood, Reeve and Kasim Siddique all went close to forcing a breakthrough - it was just not to be for City on a day when the ball clearly didn't want to go in.

Manager Nigel Simpson said: "I thought we played very well but for one reason or another we just couldn't find the back of the net."

For Yaxley the win moved them up to the dizzy heights of fifth, a position hard to imagine during last season's struggles.

Manager Phil Ellwood said: "I am delighted with the boys this season and the football we are now playing is a real testament to all the hard work they have put in."