FIVE games gone and Worcester City sit on two points with three red cards to their name.

On the face of it, Worcester’s start to their Vanarama National League North campaign looks far from ideal as they await their first win.

However, this City side are clearly a work in progress and they at least took a step in the right direction on Saturday with a 1-1 draw at FC United of Manchester.

Colby Bishop cancelled out Dale Johnson’s opener as Worcester took the game to their opponents and threatened to come away with three points.

But, for all the visitors’ positive play during the 90 minutes, they finished on a negative note as Ebby Nelson-Addy saw red in injury-time following a second yellow card.

The attacking midfielder became the third City player to be sent off in a week after the dismissals of Cieron Keane and Lee Hughes at FC Halifax Town.

With suspensions kicking in seven days earlier than previous seasons, Worcester, who picked up 12 reds last term, felt the impact of the changes as Keane and Hughes both missed the trip.

Carl Heeley’s men arrived at Broadhurst Park looking to end a run of three successive defeats and bounce back from their dreadful defensive display in the 3-2 defeat to Gloucester City.

Centre-back Sam Oji was at fault for two of the goals on Tuesday night and he was caught out on 17 minutes.

George Thomson slotted the ball in behind the defender for Johnson, who finished confidently to put FC United 1-0 in front.

The goal came after a promising start from City with Chekaine Steele making a number of probing runs.

But the winger was guilty of missing a great chance when he headed over a cross from Jordan Murphy, who went close with a volley moments later.

With Hughes, who has already netted three times this season, banned, Bishop was handed the responsibility of leading the line.

And the 19-year-old seized his opportunity as he followed up his first goal for the club in midweek with his second.

Tyler Weir was the provider as he sent in a glorious ball which Bishop was able to nod past Dave Carnell.

The left-back was making his first appearance of the season along with Danny Jackman and the duo made a big impact.

Weir showed no signs of the ankle injury which had ruled him out of the opening four games as he ran hard and tackled tenaciously all afternoon.

It was also a welcome sight to see Jackman leading the team.

The club captain hardly featured in pre-season and was not even included in the 16 against Gloucester but he showed his class during his 74-minute spell.

FC United had chances to snatch it in the second half but City remained resolute, with centre-back pairing Oji and Graham Hutchison digging in, to secure the point.