WORCESTER City’s need for attacking reinforcements was further highlighted as their goal drought continued with a derby defeat to Gloucester City.

It is now 474 minutes and counting since Mike Symons scored the winner against Stalybridge Celtic on December 20.

In truth, Carl Heeley’s side, who also went 75 minutes against Hednesford Town on Boxing Day without scoring before the game was abandoned, never really looked like ending that sequence at Whaddon Road.

They were largely devoid of creativity and, on the few occasions crosses were delivered, there was no City player gambling in the box.

Even the second-half introduction of Sean Geddes, who had dropped to the bench, Michael Taylor and Tristan Dunkley failed to buck the trend.

In contrast, Gloucester made the most of the opportunities that came their way to secure victory.

Nathan Modest broke the deadlock in a scrappy first-half with an untidy 35th minute goal before Billy Jones powered in a 67th-minute penalty after keeper Nathan Vaughan had tripped Femi Orenuga.

While victory boosted the Tigers’ hopes of pulling clear of the Vanarama Conference North relegation zone, Worcester’s play-off dreams look just that on this evidence.

Defeat also extended their miserable winless record against their M5 rivals to six matches.

Both sides struggled to find any fluency in a poor first 20 minutes.

Gloucester enjoyed the territorial advantage but when their goal arrived it was in keeping with the scrappy nature of the opening stages.

Worcester failed to deal with a long free-kick pumped into the box and Chris Knowles’ strike cannoned off Harry White and fell to Modest, whose half-volley had enough power to beat Vaughan.

City were momentarily wobbling and Vaughan spilling a tame cross for a corner without a Gloucester player near him did little for their nerves.

But the visitors slowly began to force their way back into the contest and Daniel Nti curled a free-kick just wide.

Captain Ellis Deeney also sent an effort the wrong side of the post from distance before the break.

The second-half was a more physical encounter but Worcester continued to lack a threat in front of goal, despite the introduction of Geddes, Taylor and, later, Dunkley.

Nick Wright prodded Kyle Haynes’ inviting cross wide but City’s task got even tougher midway through the half as Orenuga chased the ball into the box and was sent sprawling by Vaughan.

The keeper was booked before being sent the wrong way by Jones from the penalty spot.

City began to show more urgency but it took until the 75th minute for their first effort on target with Haynes finding keeper Paul White’s midriff from 30 yards.

Despite Taylor appearing to struggle with a leg injury in the closing stages, City continued to rally but were comfortably repelled by the hosts.

City know they have to address their troubles in front of goal and, with table-topping Fylde due at Aggborough on Saturday, need to find a solution quickly.