Monday, October 25, 1999.

WORCESTER City's problems continue to mount after a disappointing goalless draw with Atherstone United in the Dr Martens League Premier Division last night.

Despite largely dominating the game, City lacked the guile to open up a deeply defensive visiting side.

City must win games like this if they are to escape from trouble, but they now stand on a miserly eight points from 15 matches and remain two places off the bottom.

Manager Graham Allner had targeted six points from last night's game and the previous one at Cambridge on Saturday, but they ended up with just the one - and that is not good enough.

Allner said: "We perhaps didn't create as much as we did on Saturday but the one thing we did add to our game was that we looked a lot tighter.

"We just couldn't open them up sufficiently to score. They came intent on making it very difficult for us, which they did."

One crumb of comfort for Allner was an impressive debut from goalkeeper Danny Watson.

"To be fair it wasn't a bad game for him to come into because he didn't have a fantastic amount to do, but what he did do, he did confidently and competently."

City created just four clear-cut chances against an Atherstone side who packed men behind the ball.

Paul Carty and Mark Owen were denied by fine saves from 'keeper Steve Mokler, while skipper Andy Ellis beat Mokler with a chip only for defender Gary Redgate to head the ball off the line.

Their only opening after the break saw Keith Knight intercept Redgate's short backpass but his effort missed by inches.

At the other end, Atherstone seldom tested Watson, who was well protected by his defence, but his handling and kicking were secure and he was pleased to keep a clean sheet.

The 21-year-old, who signed for City in the summer from Bridgnorth Town, said afterwards: "Defensively we were faultless - all that was missing was a goal for us."

Worcester: Watson 7, Carty 7, Sandeman 7, Tucker 8, Weir 7, Heeley 7, Deakin 6, Ellis 6, Owen 6, Davies 5 (Richards 76), Knight 7. Subs not used: Willetts, Cottrill.

H Star man: Mark Tucker.

Attendance: 803.