HEDNESFORD Town's fall from grace has been spectacular but no-one in the Worcester City camp is wiping away any tears at their predicament ahead of their clash at Keys Park tomorrow (3pm).

The Pitmen, who have plummeted from the relative heights of the Nationwide Conference to a relegation dogfight in the Dr Martens Premier Division, are just the latest obstacle to be despatched in City's bid to charge up the table.

Assistant boss Mick Tuohy has not been totally surprised to see Kenny Hibbitt's side struggling at the wrong end of the table after their relegation especially in view of City's experiences.

"It was probably a bit of a culture shock to find themselves relegated after five plus years in the Conference and their glory days in the FA Cup," he said. "But it comes as a shock when you drop down and City know that better than anyone else after experiencing the same 20-odd years ago.

"And being a big club does not necessarily mean an automatic promotion again as Hednesford are finding out.

"But we are not worried about them because we've got enough of our own problems with our injuries."

Tuohy admitted to a rare feeling during last week's 6-0 thrashing of Salisbury - he actually enjoyed it.

"It doesn't happen very often but halfway through the first half I actually found myself enjoying the display," he said.

"I thought the way we played against Salisbury was refreshing. In particular I thought Adam Webster did exceptionally well and Mark Shail looked as though he had never been away from the club.

"He gave us assurance and a lot of confidence collectively and the first half was our best football of the season.

"I don't think any team in the league would have lived with us. What was pleasing was the movement, especially up front where Stewart Hadley has been a revelation - the ball goes up to him and it sticks.

Promising

"If we can continue the way we have started in the next few weeks it looks like we could have a promising second half of the season and we can get ourselves in a more realistic position, nearer where we thought we should be.

"To be honest with the injuries we've had it is miraculous we have done as well as we have.

"But we look as though we have hit a bit of form which has brightened everything up.

"Last Saturday 10 players including Darren Middleton and Mark Owen were doing some training before the match and finally I think there is a little bit of sunshine at the end of the tunnel."

With Shail out of the picture following his one-off appearance, Carl Heeley is set to revert to the centre of defence and Allan Davies could return at right-back.

FORMCAST: City to win 2-1.