WORCESTER City's faltering form in front of goal has seen their advantage slide at the top of the Dr Martens Premier Division.

John Barton's side were held to a goalless draw Ilkeston, allowing rivals Tamworth to reduce the deficit to one point with a game in hand.

Apart from Adam Wilde's promising debut, Barton had precious little to cheer about as his team failed to find the net for the fifth game out of six.

"It was a big disappointment, that's the best way to put it," said the City boss ."We struggled to get round an improved Ilkeston performance and I don't think they've played like that in recent weeks.

"As tight as we've been at the back, we are struggling to knock them in at the other end.

"There are players in the side that can score goals -- last season we weren't worried about scoring goals but keeping a clean sheet -- but football poses different questions at different times.

"We didn't seem to get anybody in goalscoring opportunities which is probably as worrying as not putting the ball in the net."