A THREE-GOAL head start proved just too much for Worcester City to overhaul as the were beaten 3-2 by Harrogate Town.

In a scene becoming increasingly familiar at St George's Lane, City dominated the second-half after giving themselves a mountain to climb.

Only this time, after the Blyth comeback victory, Nuneaton draw and Mark Danks' last-gasp equaliser against Romulus, the story didn't have a happy ending.

City, who dropped Shabir Khan in favour of Chris Smith's return to the defence, were three down at half-time.

And, despite much huffing and puffing to the last, a George Clegg 51st-minute penalty and Danks' drive 10 minutes from time were ultimately not enough.

This time it was two goals within 60 first-half seconds from Kirk Jackson and Danny Holland that proved City's undoing.

Andy Preece's warning of Harrogate's front pair seemed to fall on deaf ears as each grabbed a goal to stun the St George's Lane crowd.

With just 13 minutes on the clock, Des Lyttle failed to reach Chris Bettney's right-wing cross and Jackson stole in behind him to hook the ball over the despairing dive of Danny McDonnell.

Then, with the fans still digesting that blow, City lost possession from the re-start and Holland broke free to coolly slot the ball under McDonnell.

Harrogate were worthy of their lead as they passed the ball with confidence and ran City ragged at times before the break.

The hosts, once again stung into action after going two goals down, slowly began to get a foot-hold in the game.

Nick Colley and Clegg both went close but Harrogate, against the run of play, added a third two minutes before the break when Dave Merris fired a shot in-off McDonnell's far post.

Clegg gave City a glimmer of hope as he despatched a penalty six minutes after the re-start after the winger was fouled in the box.

There then followed good chances for Abderrahman Traore, who put the ball over from four yards, and Lyttle before Danks beat goalkeeper James Lindley from 18 yards with a firm right-foot drive on 80 minutes.

A tense finish, featuring seven minutes of added time, saw Steve Jenkins go close twice but the Yorkshiremen ran down the clock.

Smith was booked for City and now faces a one-game ban for five yellow cards.

City: McDonnell, Jenkins, Pearce (Preece 83), Smith, Thompson, Lyttle, Colley, Danks, Traore, Wilding, Clegg. Subs not used: Hodnett, Khan, Warmer, Wood.

Attendance: 883.