AN Andy Gallinagh own goal denied Worcester City the chance to pull away from the relegation pack after a 1-1 draw at Curzon Ashton tonight.

Victory would have seen City leapfrog their rivals into 15th in National League North and they looked on course with Colby Bishop’s 54th-minute strike.

But Worcester were denied all three points when a counter-attack caught the defence cold only for the ball to cannon into the net off Gallinagh’s leg.

City could have been ahead on just five minutes as 18-year-old debutant Dan Turner, signed on loan from Port Vale, forced keeper Cameron Mason to spill the ball.

But Turner’s swivelling effort was blocked and Chekaine Steele was offside for the rebound which ended up in the net.

Turner was lively early on and saw another effort slice wide of the post.

Curzon should have taken the lead against the run of play.

Niall Cummins cushioned the ball down into the path of Paul Ennis whose quick step into the penalty area caught Jordan Keane unaware and a penalty was conceded.

Ennis stepped up but keeper Ethan Ross was quick down to his right-hand side to make a solid stop.

Curzon continued to push men forward with intricate passing moves.

Joe Guest saw an effort fizz past the post before his cross was narrowly missed by Cummins.

The break came at the right time for City and they entered the second half with a refreshed approach, working harder and being more clinical with the ball.

Tyler Weir’s dart down the left brought a free-kick but Steele could only send the set-piece wide.

However, the pressure paid off nine minutes into the second period.

Bishop picked up the ball 25 yards out, produced a few step-overs and fired a low, stinging effort into the bottom corner to give City the lead.

But it lasted just eight minutes as nippy Curzon winger Ryan Hall found space down the right and drove a cross into the box.

The ball was too quick for City skipper Gallinagh who could over divert it into his own net off his shin.

The goal motivated the hosts to get a winner with a barrage of long balls but clear-cut chances were few and far between for either side to grab a winner.

City: Ross, Gallinagh, Weir, J Keane, Hutchinson, English, Steele (Nelson-Addy 71), Digie, Bishop, Turner (Murphy 57), C Keane. Subs not used: Draper, Craig, Bates.

Attendance: 181.