Tuesday, September 16, 2003

JOHN Barton admitted his side were not good enough after Worcester City crashed to their third successive defeat last night.

Hednesford Town's 3-1 victory at Keys Park, following on the back of losses to Tiverton and Weston, has heaped pressure on the St George's Lane club who have dropped to sixth spot in the Dr Martens Premier Division.

The Pitmen were two up by the break with goals from Nathan Lamey and Carl Palmer and, despite a City lifeline through a 54th minute Darren Middleton penalty, wrapped up the points eight minutes from time with a Darren Simkin strike.

"It was an improvement on Saturday but still not good enough to get us a result," said Barton. "The first goal was down to a disputed off-side decision but the second and third goals were poor ones to concede.

"Perhaps the results earlier in the season were based on keeping a clean sheet but we don't look like doing that at the moment."

City started brightly with Pat Lyons at the heart of their best work but were rocked by Lamey's controversial opener in the ninth minute.

Barton, who had dropped striker Mark Owen to the bench and rested veteran midfielder John Snape, saw his side rally from that disappointment and Adam Webster twice went close.

Adam Wilde also missed a great chance before Palmer capitalised on some slack defending to make it 2-0.

City midfielder Darren Middleton skimmed the bar at the end of the half and when he converted the penalty it briefly gave Worcester hope. But Simkin rifled the ball home unmarked from a corner to kill off the contest eight minutes from time.

"Everybody was critical of our performance on Saturday and we came out and showed a response to the criticism, but it still wasn't good enough to get us a result," admitted a disappointed Barton.

Worcester: McDonnell 6, Davies 6, Carty 6, Holloway 6, Heeley 6, Lyons 7, Foy 6 (Holmes 77), Middleton 6, Webster 8, Kelly 7, Wilde 6. Subs (not used): Owen, Hadley, Parker, Hayes.

Attendance: 488.