MANAGER John Barton has targeted runners-up spot after Worcester City's faint title hopes were finally crushed last night.

Leaders Crawley Town sneaked a 1-0 win in front of City's biggest home gate of the season (1,856), ending their six-match unbeaten run at St George's Lane in the process.

The defeat leaves City 13 points adrift of the Sussex club in third place in the Dr Martens Premier Division but they trail stuttering Weymouth by just four points.

Charlie MacDonald delivered the killer blow on 24 minutes after expertly turning Barry Woolley in the area before firing a low shot past Danny McDonnell.

"We were disappointed with the goal, I thought we were defending too deep to be honest," said Barton.

"MacDonald's turned well but defensively, one against one, you've got to win that and there's only got to be one winner.

"Really, we needed a goal to go in to give us something first half -- firstly for encouragement and secondly to put them on the back foot.

"Leon Kelly's had one cleared off the line and Adam Wilde's free kick went close while Barry's hit the bar at the end.

"We've huffed and puffed but against what I consider to be a very good side, we just didn't have enough to break them down.

"They are the yardstick but we have taken it as far as we can. They were functional, threatened a goal, got the goal and I thought we were hoping more than looking like getting a goal.

"The middle half an hour of the game we did well, and we didn't start too badly.

"But the goal changed it. Where we've been full of goals recently we wanted one to push us on."

"I think there's a runners-up spot to be had," he added.

"We've got a bit to do to achieve that with Nuneaton and Stafford plus Weymouth who are there with the lead.

"But it's something to go for, and we've got something to prove starting again at Dorchester on Saturday."

Barton believes Crawley will now go on to secure promotion to the Nationwide Conference by lifting the title.

"They were the best side when they beat us 4-0 in August, and I haven't seen anything different.

"If anything they are a stronger side than the one that beat us in September."