JOHN Barton refused to write off Worcester City's title hopes despite seeing his side slip up at Moor Green at the weekend.

The St George's Lane club wasted a glorious chance for victory when Darren Middleton missed a 77th minute penalty and now lie five points adrift of Tamworth who have a game in hand.

But after watching his side ride their luck to emerge with a point in the 1-1 draw, manager Barton insisted there was still plenty to play for in the race for the Dr Martens Premier Division.

"There's no question of us giving up on the title because there are still plenty of twists and turns to come you can be certain of that," he said.

"On the balance of play it was a good point against Moor Green. Yes we missed a penalty to clinch victory, but if you look at the bigger picture with the chances they had it was a good point.

"I've been coming to Moor Green for a number of years and it is never an easy game and we were not kidding ourselves that it was going to be easy.

"We didn't help ourselves by not starting well and we had goalkeeper Danny McDonnell to thank who was fantastic and made some great saves."

New signing Mitch Counsell appeared as a 52nd minute substitute, replacing Pat Lyons, and made an impressive start to his City career.

The 20-year-old midfielder's first challenge was a crunching tackle on Jae Martin and thereafter he made a number of tidy interceptions and looks as if he could be a useful addition to Barton's squad.

"He's done alright and I think their player will certainly remember his first challenge," added Barton.

Meanwhile, City are set to draw a line under the incident involving Dover's Paul Hyde in which the goalkeeper allegedly racially abused Paul Carty.

City's chairman Dr Mike Sorensen has spoken to his counterpart at Dover and is still awaiting his findings but Carty, who originally just wanted an apology, now wants the matter dropped.

Burton defender Mark Blount has extended his loan contract with Worcester for another month and is eligible for the FA Trophy against Margate on Saturday.

Long-term injury trio Stewart Hadley, Mark Shail and Marc Burrow will all be in City's squad for their Worcestershire FA Senior Cup clash at Halesowen Town tomorrow.