Stalybridge Celtic 3 Worcester City 1

WORCESTER City endured a miserable afternoon in the incessant Tameside rain at Bower Fold on Saturday to remain bottom of the National League North table.

After a goalless first half that saw both sides reduced to 10 men, Celtic struck three times in the second period to take a comfortable 3-0 lead before Worcester substitute Tristian Dunkley grabbed a late consolation goal for his side.

The result leaves City with just three league wins this season ahead of tomorrow night’s home game against Boston United.

They lost the services of centre-back Tom Sharpe, who was sent off after just five minutes when he brought down Celtic striker Alex Johnson inside the box.

But on-loan Worcester keeper Ethan Ross, drafted into the side after regular stopper Nathan Vaughan suffered a knock in training, saved Bohan Dixon’s spot-kick.

The hosts were also reduced to 10 men on 26 minutes when Alex Mudimo was red-carded for a heavy challenge on City midfielder Dean Waldron, who was stretchered off following the tackle.

The dreadful conditions made it difficult for both sides throughout.

In a first half of few chances, Ross was called into action to deny both Dixon and Johnson and showed assured handling in the wet.

City’s leading scorer Lee Hughes had his side’s only efforts on target in the half.

Three minutes into the second half, Stalybridge took the lead when centre-back Jack Higgins reacted the quickest to a whipped in free-kick from the left and he glanced a header past the despairing dive of Ross.

Worcester then proceeded to have their best spell of the game and were unfortunate not to score in a 15-minute period of dominance, the best opportunity falling to skipper Ellis Deeney who saw his effort blocked by Celtic keeper Tony McMillan.

Hughes also had a snapshot parried away by the stopper who then pulled off two more good saves to thwart the same two City players.

But just as it seemed an equaliser was on the cards, City suffered a killer blow when they conceded a second goal on 64 minutes.

And once again it was Higgins who was on hand to fire home after striker Chris Simm won a header from a right-wing corner.

Hughes shot just wide for City, before Celtic wrapped the game up on 75 minutes.

Alex Gudger gave away a free-kick down the right, Aidan Chippendale floated a ball into the box and Simm powered a header home to give Ross no chance.

With both teams ringing the changes, Dunkley injected some fresh legs into Worcester’s efforts and had a curling effort palmed away by McMillan.

Dunkley then got his reward with a fine goal following a passing move between Deeney and Danny Jackman.