QUIETLY and without any fuss, Worcester City have worked their way onto the fringes of the Dr Martens League Premier Division title race.

It's quite remarkable that for all their inconsistencies so far this season, John Barton's men have staked a claim to become serious challengers.

But such is the open nature of this season's league that it is unlikely that any one team is going to run away with the title.

If City can continue their current run, which has seen them go five games without defeat in all competitions -- despite not looking totally convincing -- there is no reason why they can't mount a challenge.

With injured players coming back to fitness and their home form finally coming close to matching their excellent record, optimism is high that they can make a sustained challenge.

But conversely, the league is so close that a poor run could plunge them towards the bottom of the table.

Barton's old club Burton Albion seem set to be the biggest threat to City's ambitions. Nigel Clough's side lead the table, six points ahead of City, and are yet to lose in 13 attempts this season.

But they've drawn almost as many games as they've won, and if City can keep their current run going, that could lead to an interesting clash between the two sides at Eton Park on December 9.

The main problem for City is that the next few weeks are going to be punctuated by cup distractions.

After today's FA Cup clash at Hampton and Richmond Borough, they take on Halesowen in the Worcester-shire Senior Cup on Monday -- Cup replays permitting -- and then entertain Mangotsfield in the first round of the FA Umbro Trophy next Saturday.

They are not scheduled to play another league game until November 11 when Dorchester are the visitors, and the following week's trip to Stafford will be postponed if they win today's Cup tie as that clashes with the first round date.

City's league game at Salisbury, postponed from today because of their FA Cup tie, has been re-arranged for Tuesday, January 16.