Nuneaton Town 1 Worcester City 1.

COULD Jordan Murphy be the man to steer Worcester City to safety?

It may be a lot to ask of a 20-year-old forward who has struggled for consistency this season.

But Murphy appears to be hitting form just at the right time as he came to Worcester’s rescue for the second successive week.

And on Saturday his late goal not only secured City a precious point at Nuneaton Town but also saw them climb out of the Vanarama National League North’s bottom three.

Murphy, who was given a starting place after bagging a brace in Worcester’s 2-2 draw with Darlington last weekend, had a pretty quiet afternoon at Liberty Way.

But when it counted, the former Walsall youngster stepped up to the plate as he confidently fired home with seven minutes remaining.

The equaliser was just reward for the Blue and Whites who had Nuneaton pinned in their own half for much of the second period.

Boro, meanwhile, will be frustrated they did not have the game wrapped up by half-time after creating numerous chances.

Worcester have found life difficult on the road in recent weeks and they were quickly under the cosh at Nuneaton.

Kristian Scott had an effort deflected wide before Kelvin Langmead’s looping header from the resultant corner struck the crossbar.

With just 12 minutes on the clock, City fell behind as Joe Ironside beat Tom Sharpe to Greg Mills’ cross before smashing the ball past Ethan Ross.

The visitors almost drew level at the midway point in the half when Jordan Keane’s first-time shot hit the inside of the post.

But Nuneaton were soon back on the front foot with Jordan Nicholson often roaming free in between City’s midfield and back-four.

Nicholson had several attempts on goal, with his 25-yard free-kick bouncing off the right-hand upright. Scott also had a shot palmed away by Ross.

But for all Boro’s possession, Worcester were still in touching distance at the interval and John Snape’s side turned the tables in the second half.

Ebby Nelson-Addy and Keane were starting to see more of the ball, while Danny Jackman was putting in some good crosses from the right and Tyler Weir was driving out of defence at every opportunity.

A lack of cutting edge in the final third looked like being City’s downfall as winger Chay Scrivens and new signing Pa Sulay Njie came off the bench to add impetus.

But Worcester got the goal they were searching for as Murphy brought the ball under control before finding the bottom corner with a fine finish.

It was not the most comfortable of endings as Ross got a strong hand to Kailan Gould’s powerful strike.

And it was not the three points Worcester have long been yearning for.

But it was enough to see City move above relegation rivals Gainsborough Trinity, who lost 2-1 to AFC Fylde, on goal difference.

And with out-of-form Boston United up next at Bromsgrove’s Victoria Ground, Murphy’s goals have given Worcester renewed optimism.