ERROR-strewn Worcester City slumped to a third successive defeat as hat-trick hero Luke Hopper made the most of a shocking defensive display in Gloucester City’s 3-2 win.

Debutant defender Sam Oji was at fault for two of Hopper’s goals as the striker struck twice inside the opening 11 minutes of the second period.

Worcester rallied with goals from Lee Hughes and Colby Bishop in the closing 10 minutes but they were split by Hopper’s third as Gloucester clinched victory.

Looking for a response following Worcester’s dismal 3-0 defeat at Halifax Town, manager Carl Heeley made three changes to the side that lined up on Saturday.

Nick Draper replaced loan keeper Ethan Ross, while Oji and striker Steven Craig were handed their first league starts after gaining international clearance.

With Oji in central defence, Graham Hutchison went to right-back but he brought down Tom Webb for a free-kick that Joe Hanks sent wide on seven minutes.

Worcester’s new-look back four were shaky as Hopper chested the ball to the unmarked Joe Parker, who blazed over.

Hanks forced a save from Draper on 20 minutes as his free-kick was turned around the post.

Worcester struggled to clear but Gloucester were not taking their chances and almost paid the price on 32 minutes as Oji headed a Joe Fitzpatrick corner wide.

Moments later, Bishop nearly directed Draper’s long ball goalwards and Craig fired over as Worcester started to get a foothold in the match. But Draper kept the score goalless at half-time as he denied Lewis Hall from close range.

However, it took just over a minute at the start of the second period for the Tigers to break the deadlock.

Oji miscontrolled the ball before his tame back-pass was struck home by Hopper.

Hanks stung the hands of Draper with a powerful strike before Gloucester benefited from another defensive mistake.

A mix-up by Tom Sharpe and Oji put Hopper in and the striker finished to put his side 2-0 up. Another calamitous moment almost gifted Gloucester a third on 66 minutes as Draper came close to fumbling Hopper’s shot into his own net.

Bishop’s weak header was saved at the other end as substitutes Jordan Murphy, Hughes and Chekaine Steele gave the hosts more impetus.

Hughes provided Worcester with a lifeline on 80 minutes as he headed in Cieron Keane’s cross.

But Gloucester struck again two minutes later when Hopper slotted the ball past Draper for his hat-trick. Bishop pulled another goal back for Worcester in injury-time when he stabbed home Hughes’ cross from close range.

Worcester (4-4-2): Draper; Hutchison, Sharpe, Oji, Keane; Fitzpatrick, English, Batchelor (Steele 65), Nelson-Addy (Murphy 61); Craig (Hughes 61), Bishop. Subs not used: Ross, Gallinagh.

City man of the match: Junior English.

Attendance: 527