Groclin frustrate Man City

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Man City 1-1 Groclin

Manchester City failed to capitalise on a promising start to their Uefa Cup second round tie, allowing Groclin to return to Poland with a draw as well as a crucial away goal.

Nicolas Anelka gave City a sixth-minute lead, but Kevin Keegan's side proceeded to fritter away a number of promising opportunities.

City paid the price for their profiligacy in front of goal when midway through the second half Sebastian Mila curled a superb free-kick past David Seaman's despairing dive.

Having struggled in the City of Manchester Stadium to beat Lokeren 3-2 in the previous round only to go and win in Belgium, City will have to produce another impressive away performance in the return if they are to progress again.

Just before Anelka's goal, Claudio Reyna should have put City ahead when he was released by Robbie Fowler, but the American sent his shot over the top from six yards.

Anelka made the breakthrough after six minutes, with Fowler again creating the opening.

After Fowler's pass had sprung the defence, Anelka chipped the ball neatly over goalkeeper Mariusz Liberda.

A draw with mighty Groclin and a half-empty ground - oh dear... From Mark Harding Have your say on 606

Minutes later Anelka almost grabbed a second, but Liberda redeemed himself by racing off his line to save.

Groclin began to gain a foothold in the game and Seaman did well to block a header from Grzgorz Rasiak.

As the Poles grew in confidence Marcin Zajac was twice denied by Seaman in quick succession.

Just before the half hour, Fowler squandered a great chance to extend City's lead but found the wrong side of the post after good work from Steve McManaman.

Then Sun Jihai raced deep into Polish territory, only for his effort to clear the bar.

In an impressive spell by City, Liberda had to race off his line to thwart Anelka after Paul Bosvelt's defence-splitting pass.

Groclin continued to looked dangerous on the break and Mila got away in the 51st minute only to fire wide.

Then Rasiak rattled in a shot from 20 yards that was narrowly off target.

Keegan admits lack of polish

The pacy Zajac was causing City problems with his runs from deep and Tarnat picked up a yellow card for a late challenge.

Keegan decided to bring off the ineffective McManaman in the 64th minute and replace him with Danny Tiatto.

Yet two minutes later Mila pulled Groclin level with a superb set-piece strike from 20 yards.

Groclin were able to hold on for the draw as substitute Paolo Wanchope shot over the bar and Liberda saved Michael Tarnat's free-kick with his feet.

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Man City: Seaman, Jihai, Distin, Dunne, Tarnat, Wright-Phillips, Reyna (Bosvelt 25), Barton, McManaman (Tiatto 64), Fowler (Wanchope 71), Anelka.
Subs Not Used: Stuhr-Ellegaard, Sibierski, Sommeil, Macken.

Booked: Tarnat.

Groclin Dyskobolia: Liberda, Mila, Koziol, Pawlak, Mynar, Krizanac, Zajac (Kaczmarczyk 90), Wieszczycki, Sedlacek, Rasiak, Niedzielan (Piechniak 70).
Subs Not Used: Przyrowski, Prusek, Rocki, Gorszkow, Moskala.

Booked: Pawlak.

Attendance: 32,506

Referee: G Kaznaferis (Greece).