MARCO Adaggio pounced to earn Worcester City a deserved point against high-flying Bishop’s Stortford at St George’s Lane.

Adaggio reacted quickest to head home his fifth goal of the season after Craig Wilding’s 64th minute free-kick had been parried by keeper Nicky Eyre and stretched City’s unbeaten run to four games in all competitions.

Richard Dryden’s side showed good character to hit back after falling behind to Lewis Smith’s 23rd minute strike and dominated the second-half in their quest for three points.

The game also took a bizarre twist as referee Nick Hobbis pulled up with a hamstring injury on the hour mark and, with no fourth official, a plea for help was made over the public address system.

Hobbis soldiered on until the 82nd minute but was evidently struggling and was replaced by his assistant Adam Ricketts, leaving City director Dave Boddy, a qualified official, to run the line.

Ricketts, however, still found time to book Bishop’s Stortford duo Tom Champion and Ben Nunn as he took the number of yellow cards in the match to five.

Manager Dryden made two changes to the team which defeated Burnham in the FA Trophy with Graham Ward coming in for Kevin Spencer at right-back and captain Tom Kemp returning in place of Mark Clyde in the centre of defence.

Alfie Carter kept his place at left-back with Shabir Khan away on international duty with Pakistan.

In chilly conditions, City took the game to their opponents from the off.

Matt Birley looked to surge forward at every opportunity and he provided Rob Elvins with an early chance.

The former Birmingham City midfielder rode several challenges before cutting the ball back for his team-mate but Eyre saved Elvins’ left-foot strike.

City had been warned of the dangers of Blue Square South’s leading marksman Charlie Sheringham, son of former England international Teddy, and he began to make his presence felt.

On one occasion, he scampered into the area, dinked the ball over an advancing Jake Meredith but was thwarted in his tracks by the sturdy frame of Wayne Daniel.

Sheringham was involved as Mark Simpson’s side took a deserved lead.

City failed to deal with a ball fired into the area and the striker calmly nodded it down for an unmarked Smith to blast past a helpless Meredith close in.

The keeper, though, kept his nerve soon after as he came rushing out to smother at the feet of Smith after the scorer had been set free by Ashley Nicholls.

City, forced to replace injured midfielder Gary Walker with Rob Davies at half-time, controlled the second period.

The hosts maintained their pressure and found a way back into the match.

Wilding fired a free-kick through the defensive wall, Eyre could only parry the ball into the middle of the penalty area and Adaggio swooped to head his team level.

Sub Damon Lathrope tested Meredith with the visitors’ only second-half effort before defender Daniel had a shot deflected past the post at the other end.

As City sought a winner, emergency discussions were held on the touchline concerning Hobbis’ fitness which ended with Ricketts taking over in the middle and former chairman Boddy switching his suit for shorts. Following five minutes of stoppage-time and a fine Ward tackle to thwart sub Louis Riddle, Adaggio’s effort proved enough for a precious point.