DANIEL Nti scored twice but Worcester City's wait for a win continues following a deserved 2-2 draw against Hednesford Town at Aggborough.

The striker, playing his first game since sustaining a knee injury on the opening day of the campaign, struck in each half as Worcester became the first side to take a point off the early leaders.

He fired Carl Heeley's side ahead inside 60 seconds and got them back on level terms mid-way through the second-half after Wayne Riley and Elliott Durrell's penalty had moved Hednesford in front.

As in their first three games, there was plenty of neat passing and effort on display from City but they were left ruing a number of chances while 1-0 up.

They were given the perfect start with Nti, making his first start since the opening day of the season, pouncing inside the first minute.

Centre-half Graham Hutchison, in an unusually forward position, held the ball up excellently on the edge of the six-yard box before cutting it back to Nti and he smashed it past Dan Crane.

Hednesford forced three corners in quick succession but it was the hosts who continued to call the shots.

Nti's low drive drew a good save from Crane and Aaron Williams scuffed his shot in front of goal after Danny Glover had burst into the box and flashed the ball across the danger zone.

Nti then beat the offside trap but his cross was hacked over the bar before Williams, back in the side just two days after injuring his knee in the goalless draw at Brackley, could turn it home.

Having squandered those openings, Worcester were made to pay in the 25th minute. Hednesford broke at pace and Riley took the ball past Jose Veiga before rolling it home despite the efforts of Richard Munday sliding in.

Despite plenty of endeavour from City, the visitors began to impose themselves and it needed a fine tip over from Veiga to deny Neil Harvey.

The pressure finally told when Munday tripped Dave Macpherson in the box and Durrell sent Veiga the wrong way from 12 yards for his seventh goal in four games.

Following an action-packed first-half, it took a while for the second period to get going. That finally happened seconds after Ethan Moore had replaced Ashley Sammons.

Ellis Deeney, breaking down the left, picked out Glover in the area, his flicked effort was deflected over Crane by Macpherson and Nti arrived at the far post to ensure the ball crossed the line.

Veiga saved from Jamey Osborne amid a frantic finale that saw both sides press for a winner without success.

Worcester City: Veiga 7, G Williams 7, Deeney 8, Thorley 7, Hutchison 8, Munday 7, A Williams 7, Nelson-Addy 8, Nti 8*, Glover 7, Sammons 6 (Moore 64, 6). Subs not used: D Williams, Heath, Walker, Sargeant.

Attendance: 741.