Worcester City 0 Chorley 1

FROM one mistake to the next, winless Worcester City have been masters of their own downfall so far this season.

Whether it’s Ethan Ross’ costly late fumble on the opening day of the campaign or Sam Oji’s calamitous evening against Gloucester City, second-from-bottom City have let points slip away.

And Tom Sharpe became the latest player to have a moment to forget as the Blue and Whites slumped to their fourth defeat in six games on Saturday.

The defender, who rarely put a foot wrong last term, was simply brushed aside by powerful Chorley striker Marcus Carver who then dispatched what proved to be the winner on 69 minutes.

Earlier, goalkeeper Nick Draper could have easily been at fault for the opener as he spilled a cross before Junior English came to his rescue with a remarkable goal-line clearance to deny Josh O’Keefe. By in large, though, errors have cost City dear as they remain on two points with only sorry Nuneaton Town stopping them from being Vanarama National League North’s basement boys.

And Carl Heeley’s side’s task of claiming their first win does not get any easier as they face a tricky encounter against Stockport County at Edgeley Park today.

Attacking midfielder Ebby Nelson-Addy will return for the trip to Greater Manchester, but crucially Lee Hughes remains one game away from completing his three-match suspension.

The former West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City striker has scored three of Worcester’s five goals this season, with Colby Bishop chipping in with the other two.

And the 40-year-old’s presence on the field appears to be key to his side’s hopes of steering clear of trouble.

Young gun Bishop has done a decent job in his absence, but he proved no match for Chorley’s battle-hardened defence.

Jordan Murphy, who was playing in behind Bishop, was also largely ineffective - although he did at least sting the hands of Sam Ashton just two minutes in.

Danny Jackman went close with a stunning half volley, while Chekaine Steele plugged away down the right without creating any clear cut chances.

In defence, the hosts were dealing with Chorley’s tactic of sending the ball up towards physical frontman Sefton Gonzales.

Centre-back Oji, especially, was rising to the challenge, but when he limped off with a knee injury on 63 minutes City’s resilience cracked moments later.

After Carver pounced on replacement Sharpe’s mistake to break the deadlock, Heeley would have been looking for a response from his side.

He threw on experienced forward Steven Craig and pacey winger Nathan Olukanmi in the hope they would find an equaliser.

But worryingly for City’s boss and the home fans, their confidence-hit team did not force Ashton into making a single save.

And it was the visitors who came closest to scoring as Carver’s thumping effort cannoned off the woodwork late on to leave Heeley with plenty to ponder.