Saturday, December 7, 2002

IT hasn't happened too often this season but defences lapses struck with a vengeance to force Worcester to share the spoils with Hinckley in a 2-2 draw.

All four goals owed something to the generosity of defending so John Barton's side benefited as well but the upshot was a fourth draw in six games and the surrender of top spot to rivals Tamworth.

It was a largely frustrating afternoon for the home side at St George's Lane, compounded by three second half strikes that struck the Knitters' woodwork.

But however much City curse their luck the fact they emerged with just one point was largely self inflicted.

Twice in front they managed to commit the cardinal sin of letting the opposition hit back almost immediately.

What was even more depressing was the nature of the goals conceded.

While Martin Fox's corners contained enough dip and bend to do David Beckham proud, the failure of City to challenge first Scott Voice and then Niki Preston was worrying for a team with the best defensive record in the Dr Martens Premier Division.

It had all started so brightly for the home side when the quick-thinking Pat Lyons picked out an unmarked Adam Webster inside the Knitters box and after Tommy Whittle's initial save he lashed in a left footed shot from close range.

That should have set the tone for the remainder of the match but within five minutes United were level when Fox swung in a corner that Voice rose unchallenged to power high into the net from less than six yards.

The visitors suddenly looked dangerous and almost added a second when Wayne Dyer put Chris Smith's deep cross into the side netting at the back post.

Worcester weathered a brief Hinckley storm and soon regained the lead through Jon Holloway who rose to nod in Adam Wilde's corner from the right.

Once again that should have signalled game over but within a minute Preston's near post header from another Fox corner had restored parity.

The remainder of the half was a scrappy affair dominated by a controversial decision by referee Andrew Garratt to book Wilde for diving inside the box in the 37th minute.

From the stand it was clear Simon Dakin had clipped Wilde's ankle with a flailing boot but the winger's delayed reaction in going down resulted in Garratt issuing a yellow card.

It didn't get any better moments before the break when Mark Owen found himself in acres of space but he delayed shooting and was easily charged down.

Further anguish was to come City's way after the interval mostly from the woodwork.

David Holmes floated an innocuous 53rd minute free kick into the box which Whittle completely misjudged and was left to breath a sigh of relief as it hit the upright.

Carl Heeley picked up the rebound but the ball was whisked off his feet before it would drop. Two minutes later Owen burst clear and rifled his shot against the bar.

It was mostly one way traffic though Fox sent Danny McDonnell scrambling across his goal with a swerving free kick from 25 yards while City's keeper then saved bravely at the feet of Dyer.

Wilde had a busier second period, whizzing a low drive across the goal and then waltzing to the byeline only to waste his good work by picking out a Hinckley head.

But if proof were needed that it was simply not their day it came when Lyons skipped past a challenge and unleashed a right footed shot from 20 yards that beat Whittle all ends up but not the post.

Webster caught the rebound but couldn't react quick enough to do anything other than steer it into the side netting.

A late flurry saw City press for a winner but to no avail with the best effort a Webster header saved by Whittle.