Results: Tranmere (a) 3-1, Hartlepool (h) 1-0, Torquay (h) 2-0, Bournemouth (a) 4-0, Port Vale (h) 2-2, Oldham (a) 0-1

Talking points: Taylor signs contract, Fagan scores on debut, Tigers top the table after an 8 game unbeaten run. City fail to win without Elliott.

The month started well for the Tigers with manager Peter Taylor signing a 2 year extension to his contract, which was due to run out in the summer. He would later agree with the FA to continue coaching the England U-21’s on a part-time basis.

New signing Craig Fagan came on as a second half substitute in the big match at Tranmere and duly scored on his debut. Kevin Ellison and Jason Price also starred in what was an important win against their promotion rivals. Two home wins followed against Hartlepool and Torquay to cement City’s place in the top two promotion places.

And then on to Bournemouth… the sun shone on the south coast as City produced one of their best performances of the season to crush the cherries 4-0, with 2 goals from Stuart Elliott and one apiece from Ryan France and Damien Delaney. Helped by Bournemouth’s Shaun Maher being sent off, the Tigers played some slick possession football to notch up 5 wins in a row.

The Easter weekend proved to be disappointing missing Elliott on international duty with N. Ireland. The Tigers struggled against a workman-like Port Vale side, Leon Cort scored a good header, but City were only saved from defeat by a late Craig Fagan penalty. The draw was enough to see them overtake Luton to sit proudly in the League One top spot. It didn’t last long however, when a fruitless afternoon against Ronnie Moore’s revitalized Oldham side resulted in the Tigers being knocked off their title perch after only 2 days.

Player movements: Danny Allsopp leaves to return home to Australia, Michael Keane free transferred to Rotherham, Delroy Facey loaned to Huddersfield then free transferred to Oldham. Richard Hinds loaned out to Scunthorpe.