JOHN Barton takes Worcester City to Greater Manchester tomorrow in a bid to improve a sequence of high-scoring Nationwide North draws on the road.

City travel to Ashton United in high spirits following a tough three-day schedule in which they grabbed four points at St George's Lane against Lancaster City and Kettering Town.

It meant Worcester remain the only unbeaten side left in the division after Hinckley United's home defeat to Nuneaton Borough in midweek.

But although City stretched their run to nine games without loss, they have drawn six, including their last three away fixtures which all finished 2-2.

Manager Barton was at a loss to explain the reason behind the quirk in away-day results and stressed the importance of taking advantage of Ashton who are 17th and have lost two of their opening four matches at Surrey Street.

He said: "I think it's a twist of fate that the last three away games have ended 2-2. I suppose it's just the way things happen. We certainly don't go out there to draw these games.

"But six drawn games out of nine is too many and to me the unbeaten record is not that important if we can't pick up wins.

"There's the danger of talking about the unbeaten tag because it could all go horribly wrong and smack us back in the face."

Barton added: "Some of the drawn games have been points gained, though, and we've shown some good qualities in coming back from behind to claim a point.

"But the problem I've seen in some games is that we are being forced to score three goals to win it and sometimes that's just not possible. We have got goals in the side but I'd like us to win scoring just one goal.

"Ashton have been inconsistent at home and we've got enough to win the game if we go there in the right frame of mind."

Barton is unlikely to change the side that started the 2-2 draw with Kettering on Monday with Liam McDonald likely to hold his place in midfield.

McDonald scored City's second goal in the thrilling encounter and impressed in the second half when he shifted to the left wing and allowed Pat Lyons to stamp his authority in the centre.

Barton said: "Liam is one that we've got high hopes for. He's an impatient lad and has got to be a little bit more patient.

"But I don't blame him for being like that, you can call it a good weakness. I thought he played well on Monday and he showed a lot of maturity.

"It worked well against Kettering when we tucked Pat Lyons into centre midfield, he was excellent. That's his favourite position and playing him there against Ashton is something that is under consideration.

"The lads have not played since Monday so they will be feeling the benefit of a bit of a rest. They have worked really hard this week despite it being a tough schedule."

Jai Stanley, who is recovering from a groin injury, should make the bench and is expected to get some action against Worksop Town on Tuesday.