AS goal droughts go, the one Worcester City are currently enduring is pretty severe.

It has now been six games — or 545 minutes to be precise — since Danny Edwards struck a consolation goal five minutes from time in the 3-1 defeat at Harrogate Town on February 16.

That has not happened since 1966 and should they fail to score at Corby Town this Saturday, it will be unprecedented in the club’s 111-year history.

Although such statistics don’t make for great reading, they are facts no matter how unwelcome.

Not surprisingly, there are few positives to be gleaned from the current slump. With one notable exception in new striker Ethan Moore.

Plucked from the obscurity of the Hellenic League Premier Division and Cheltenham Saracens, three levels below City, the former Aston Villa youngster has been a breath of fresh air around St George’s Lane.

The 20-year-old showed promise as a second-half substitute in the 3-0 defeat to Boston United and, in his first start for Carl Heeley’s side, forced several saves from Gainsborough Trinity keeper Jason White despite City again losing 3-0.

At Altrincham last Saturday, when Worcester went down 2-0, Moore was again in the thick of things, drawing a first-half save from Robins stopper Stuart Coburn before Shabir Khan’s rebound was also blocked.

Being thrust into Blue Square Bet North action doesn’t seem to have fazed the youngster and he is hoping he can be the man to stop the rot.

He said: “I thought I would be on the bench up until the end of the season and just coming on as a sub but, because we are on a bad run, the gaffer is trying new things so that’s why I got my chance.

“I think I have played quite well in the last few games, worked hard and got shots off quickly. I think if I get that first goal then more will come. I just need to get that out of the way.

“The first goal is crucial because that builds confidence and then you can go from there. We really need to win as soon as possible.”

Moore, who started out at Villa before a brief stint as a professional with Cheltenham Town, added: “It’s a big step up. It’s a lot quicker and the players are better and you get less time on the ball. It’s more physical as well.

“We are on a bad run at the moment so I have to get up to speed quickly to try and help the team out.”

City have been tracking Moore for some time and, with rivals Gloucester City also in the hunt for his services, decided to make their move.

It is not the first time they have scoured the local leagues for players either having given fellow striker Michael Taylor, who joined from Midland Combination side Earlswood Town, his opportunity.

Moore said: “Michael has given me advice and told me to just keep doing what I did at the lower level. He’s been really good to me, giving me support in how to play at this level.

“Hopefully, at the end of the season the gaffer will give me a contract until the end of next season and I can score a lot of goals.”