MANAGERLESS Worcester City crashed to a 3-1 defeat at Tamworth last night in the GLS Cup third round, despite producing their most encouraging display of 2005.

City showed no signs of a side lacking in confidence as they gave the Lambs the runaround for large sections of an entertaining tie.

But the Conference hosts advanced into the next round courtesy of masterclass finishing.

Forward Leon Kelly poked City in front with a close-range header before Tamworth hit back with clinical first-half strikes from James Francis and Adie Smith.

And Nicholas Smith completed the scoring for the hosts with a third shortly after the interval.

Despite going down to their fourth consecutive defeat, City were much brighter than in recent matches and deserved more against the Staffordshire outfit.

Caretaker boss John Snape said: "At times, it was as good as we have played for a long time. We looked after the ball and we were a bit more confident and looked like scoring.

"The disappointing thing is that we still conceded three goals and we were left wanting a little bit at crucial times in both penalty boxes."

Among the highlights included debutant Aleksejs Volosanovs, whose energy and quick-thinking behind the front pairing of Kelly and Adam Webster caused panic in the home defence.

Colin Hoyle stood out with a strong captain's performance at the back, Pat Lyons and Tom Warmer were penetrative from the flanks, while Webster's creativity and link-up play was exemplary.

Everyone in a City shirt gave a good account of themselves and it can only be hoped they produce a repeat display at Worksop in Nationwide North on Saturday.

An evenly matched first-half saw City take the lead on 29 minutes when Kelly headed home Webster's superb cross from six yards, his 13th Worcester goal of the campaign.

However, Tamworth equalised on 37 minutes when Adie Smith wrestled the ball from debutant Matt Gardiner and sent in a low cross from the right which Francis, son of former England international Trevor Francis, flicked into the net.

The home side scored again five minutes later with a similar strike, former Kidderminster Harriers player Adie Smith side-footing first time low past McDonnell following Sekani Simpson's right-wing centre.

City made a disastrous start to the second-half as Tamworth bagged their third on 47 minutes, Nicholas Smith racing onto Francis' throughball and stabbing home under pressure from McDonnell and Warmer.

The visitors came close to reducing the arrears late on but Kelly volleyed inches over following neat work by Webster.

And sub James Smith had a fierce close-range drive beaten away by Ryan Price.

Snape added: "To be fair to Tamworth, they had a good side out and they let us play with the ball a bit. But they were more clinical when it mattered.

"We have got to look at the positives and there were quite a few. All the players gave everything they had and the lads making their debuts didn't disappoint."

City: McDonnell 6, Volosanovs 7, Hoyle 7, Woolley 6, Gardiner 6, Snape 6 (Warner 60, 6), Lyons 7 (Edwards 60, 6), Stanley 6 (Smith 75), Kelly 7, *Webster 8, Warmer 7. Subs not used: Atkinson, Skyers. Attendance: 412.

City reserves entertain Kidderminster Harriers in the Central Conference League Cup tonight (7.45pm).