I didn't anticipate that my question would generate quite so many responses.
I'll have to go and spin a 172 and see if it is like I remember. In the meantime I had a look at Youtube. Lots of 172 spins, this is the best one I think:
The instructor leaves some power on for the entry, which is something I don't remember doing. I like the student's honest reaction at the end of the first demo spin: "Holy cr*p!"