CITY of Liverpool fell to home defeat against Droylsden, in a game of few clear-cut chances for either side. 

The early exchanges were conducted in a midfield battle, with both sides limited to efforts from long range.

Jamie Frost went closest for the visitors with a couple of left-footed curling strikes which Owen Wheeler watched over the bar.

Wheeler was then called into action to make a miraculous save, after Danny Wilkins put in a teasing cross for Dominic Smith to hammer goalwards.

The big forward thought he’d scored but Wheeler got down low to make a magnificent stop from point-blank range. 

After the interval the game was stop-start in nature, littered with stoppages, bookings and pedantic officiating.

The visitors took the lead after 79 minutes when Faustin Makela curled a perfect free-kick over the wall and into the corner of the net. 

Late on the Purps were denied a clear penalty when Lewis Gilboy had his legs taken in the box by Bloods skipper Domaine Rouse.

The referee booked the youngster for diving, much to the ire of the home side. Replays suggested it was a stone-wall spot-kick. 

City of Liverpool are next in action on Tuesday January 28 with a big fixture against Everton at home in the Liverpool Senior Cup (7.45pm kick-off).