WHEN Worcester City unveiled their striking red away shirt ahead of this season, it may well have been a sign of things to come.

From Kieran Morris getting sent off in the 1-1 draw at Gainsborough Trinity in August to Wayne Thomas being given his marching orders in the 3-1 defeat at Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday, the colour red has blighted City’s campaign.

Thomas’ dismissal, which came after he appeared to elbow Avenue striker Lamin Colley, was Carl Heeley’s and Matt Gardiner’s side’s 11th of the season.

No team in England’s top six divisions have notched up more red cards than Worcester with Eastbourne Borough the only other ill-disciplined side to get into double figures.

When considering that shocking statistic, it is perhaps no surprise the Blue and Whites have struggled to steer well clear of relegation trouble in Vanarama National League North.

This should not overshadow what was a disappointing showing from City at the Horsfall Stadium as a first-half hat-trick from Reece Webb-Foster secured Avenue a well-deserved three points.

Kyle Perry got one back for the visitors on the stroke of half-time but, with a man down, they did not have enough to really worry the Yorkshire side.

At a ground just as suited for athletics than football, Worcester should have taken another huge stride to safety after beating Hednesford Town in midweek.

But after stumbling out of the starting blocks they failed to recover and Avenue’s pacey attack made them pay for it.

Unlike in previous games, City were the ones on the back foot in the early stages as Danny Jackman blocked Simon Ainge’s header on the line before Luke Woodland went close with a couple of long-range strikes.

Avenue had announced their intentions and they opened the scoring thanks to a stunning Webb-Foster shot from just outside the box.

Winger Jason St Juste was causing Sam Minihan heaps of problems down the left and it was his cross which set up Webb-Foster for his second with a diving header.

Things then went from bad to worse for City as Thomas received a straight red card before Avenue’s striker headed in his third.

Facing a 3-0 deficit, 10-man Worcester looked all over the place but they at least showed some fighting spirit.

With only seconds left of the first 45 minutes, Jackman crossed the ball in for Perry to nod past Ryan Jones.

It was the striker’s first goal for the club since his March move from Hednesford and it was richly deserved after a dogged display.

Despite City’s defensive frailties, left-back Alex Gudger remained composed throughout and young centre-back Morris did well when he came on.

But they still needed goalkeeper Ethan Ross, who replaced the injured Nathan Vaughan, to be at his best to keep their hopes alive.

The West Bromwich Albion loanee denied Dylan Motley-Henry, Luke Dean, Woodland and Richard Marshall with flying saves as Avenue finished on top.

Despite the defeat, Worcester remain on the brink of safety and they could cement their place in the division for next season with victory at third-from-bottom Lowestoft Town on Tuesday (7.45pm).