WORCESTER City paid the price for a slow start against Midlands rivals Tamworth, the visitors scoring a quick-fire double midway through the first-half to set-up a 2-1 victory in the Vanarama National League North.

Joint manager Matt Gardiner admits the players need to learn from that as they head into Saturday’s match with Lowestoft Town.

“There’s no getting away from it, we had a poor start,” the City boss admitted.

“We made two mistakes and were punished which shows the strength of the league this year — if you make a mistake you get punished.

“But what I can say was that in the second-half it was an unbelievable effort from the lads. The quality and the tempo went up and I feel that we were unlucky not to equalise at the minimum.

“The players are honest, they know it was poor and not good enough. They had it at half-time between me and Carl Heeley and you can see the reaction we got. It’s a long season but we have learnt a lot and we learnt from Saturday. We grow and we put it into the next game.”

It was a mistake from teenager Kieran Morris that led to Tamworth’s second goal midway through the first period and the former Brentford rookie was substituted soon afterwards.

But Gardiner said the decision was purely tactical as City looked to switch to a back-four.

“We are asking players to be brave on the ball,” he added. “He’s made an error but errors were being made all over the pitch in the first 20 minutes.

“The substitution was tactical. We started with three centre-backs and were trying to make the change before the second goal. We had to put him to right-back which isn’t his position so it was purely tactical. We changed it but unfortunately not quickly enough.”

Following the substitution, Tyler Weir slotted in on the right of defence but he was then involved in a clash of heads with visiting defender Curtis Strong as the pair jumped for a ball.

Gardiner added: “Tyler Weir was OK, he was talking in the changing room but has gone off to hospital. It’s a nasty cut, as was the one to the other lad.”

Ryan Rowe reduced the ar - rears 12 minutes from time and as City pushed for an equaliser, loan signing Jamie Spencer from Kidderminster Harriers came off the bench for his debut and almost lev - elled the scores.

“Jamie gave us a presence,”Gardiner said. “He is that different type of forward to the ones we have at the moment.

"I’m sure while he’s with is he will contribute positively.”