City opened their league home campaign with a win - but it was really hard work.
They spluttered throughout against newly-promoted Stevenage and struggled to string any moves of quality together.
The winning goal in the 31st minute came from the penalty spot after Lee Bullock fell over Joel Byrom's outstretched leg. Gareth Evans sent keeper Chris Day the wrong way with the coolest of spot-kicks, making amends for the last-minute miss against Accrington last season.
It was City's only shot on target in the whole game.
Stevenage, backed by a noisy away following, applied the pressure after the break. Thankfully their shooting lacked any accuracy.
But they should have equalised when Shane Duff's blind backpass went straight to Yemi Odubade in front of goal.
The little striker had only Jon McLaughlin to beat but the keeper threw himself forward to block with his feet and save a victory that City barely deserved.
Three points are on the board but Peter Taylor won't need the smattering of boos at the final whistle to know that his team will have to do a lot better.
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