A DRAMATIC injury-time equaliser from Mark Owen earned Worcester City a 3-3 draw with Clevedon Town in last night's Dr Martens League Premier Division clash.

Six minutes of added time had been played when Owen received a pass from Carl Heeley, turned well in a tight space and lashed the ball home from close range for his second goal of the match and his fourth in the last two games.

But City's relief at salvaging a point was tempered by more concerns about slack defending, having now shipped 13 goals in their last four games.

Manager John Barton said afterwards: "You can't expect to win matches conceding goals like we have done. I can't think of a goal we have had scored against us this season that hasn't been down to individual errors.

"You do what you think is right and give players disciplines to carry out, and it all goes up in smoke with individual mistakes.

"On the balance of play it was a deserved point -- it was just the manner in which it was achieved."

Worcester, who pushed Andy Bradley into midfield after Steve Lutz failed a fitness test on an ankle injury, were stunned after only 80 seconds when former Evesham United player Danny Haines volleyed Clevedon in front.

City were level after four minutes when Ian Cottrill's pass set up Owen to slide home the first of his two goals, and his return to form has at least been a comfort to Barton.

But three minutes later the visitors were back in front when Paul Milsom was left unmarked to head home a free-kick.

It took only two more minutes for parity to be restored when Mark Tucker's free-kick rebounded off a defender into the path of Carl Tranter, who marked his home debut with his second goal in two games.

On 35 minutes Clevedon went in front for the third time as Worcester conceded their sixth penalty of the season, Cottrill being penalised for a push on Steve Lester. Milsom converted the spot-kick via the post.

City exerted most of the pressure after that but seldom looked like breaking through, and were fortunate that referee Tim Curtis -- much to Clevedon's annoyance -- opted to play eight minutes of stoppage time which allowed Owen to save City from their second successive home defeat.

Worcester: McDonnell 6, Bradley 6, Jukes 6, Tucker 5, Weir 6 (Deakin 77), Heeley 7, M. Wyatt 6, Cottrill 6, Owen 8, Tranter 6, Hyde 6. Subs (not used): Joyce, Jefferson.

Star man: Mark Owen.

Attendance: 1,033.