A crowd of more than 800 watched trialist Pat Keary's late header give Bath City a 1-0 victory over former tenants Bristol Rovers in Saturday's friendly at Twerton Park.
The goal - an 82nd-minute header from fellow substitute Ross Stearn's inswinging corner - would have been particularly sweet for Keary, a former captain of Rovers' centre of excellence who was released by the Gas in the summer after one senior appearance.
Stearn was a first-half replacement for Chas Hemmings, whose injury was the only disappointment of an encouraging afternoon for Conference South side City.
On a day when the pre-match thunderstorms give way to bright sunshine, man of the match Andy Watkins posed a constant threat to the visiting defence and forced a good one-on-one save from Kieran Preston before skimming the post with another fine effort.
Stearn and Dave Pratt also drew saves from the Rovers keeper and captain Dan Ball had a second-half effort deflected wide.
Rovers' best chance saw a quick break end with sub Jamie Lucas going through on goal but Jason Mellor - who had hurt his shoulder in a heavy fall earlier on - made a fine block.
City are at home again next Saturday against League 2 outfit Cheltenham Town.
BATH CITY: Mellor, Bowman, Slocombe, Gallinagh, Ball, Simpson, Artus, Kington, Pratt, Watkins, Hemmings. Subs: Stearn, Adelsbury, Allen, Evans, Gibbons, Ricketts, Mitchell, Keary.
BRISTOL ROVERS: Preston, Higgins, Greenslade, Thomas, Trotman, Mitchell, Ward-Baptiste, Gosling, Thompson, White, Bloom. Subs: Harrison, Clarke, Lucas.
ATTENDANCE: 837.
