MICK Tuohy has been axed as Worcester City's first-team coach after more than four years in the post.

Tuohy has paid the price for City's inconsistency this season as manager John Barton looks to shake up his backroom staff.

The decision was made before Saturday's impressive 4-0 Dr Martens Premier Division win over Nuneaton Borough.

Tuohy was unavailable for comment today, but Barton said: "I have made a decision that I believe is in the best interests of the club. I thought it was the right thing to do.

"We need to freshen things up a bit and it's time to make some changes."

Barton did pay tribute to Tuohy's work at the club, saying: "Mick's contribution in the four-and-a-half years I have been here has been invaluable, especially in the first two years when it was a very difficult club to manage.

"People looking at the decision-making process will think that perhaps Mick has been made a scapegoat. That is not the case -- the players have under-achieved and have to take responsibility for it as well."

Tuohy, who scored 84 goals in 203 games as a striker for City in the early 1980s, returned to the club as coach in 1998 under George Rooney's management.

He left when Rooney was replaced by Graham Allner, having served briefly as caretaker boss, but returned to the club when Barton took over as manager in November 1999.

Former Hereford United boss John Newman has returned to the club to assist Barton on a temporary basis, but City will be looking to make a permanent appointment before the end of the season.

Barton added: "I have made a very difficult decision and will now take the necessary time to make sure that we appoint the right man."

Meanwhile, Barton was delighted with City's display on Saturday as they moved up to seventh place in the table.

He said: "The real Worcester City turned up. There were contributions from all over the pitch."

Barton had special praise for man-of-the-match Adam Wilde, saying: "He has been concerned as anybody about his form, but he showed us just what he can do."