THERE are often fine margins between success and failure in football.

A missed chance, split-second lapses in concentration or controversial decisions — they can all turn a game.

Worcester City found this out to their cost against Halifax at St George’s Lane as the Shaymen snatched three points.

With virtually nothing to choose between the teams for the vast majority of a feisty contest, and a draw looking on the cards, Gareth Seddon’s header from Jason St Juste’s 79th minute free-kick settled matters.

The same Seddon who in April 2006 scored in the blue and white of Worcester against Stalybridge Celtic at the Lane in his only game for the club.

City felt aggrieved in the seconds before the striker powered his header past Matt Sargeant, claiming Greg Mills had been fouled. Yet, when the free-kick came in from the right, Seddon got to the ball first and it proved decisive.

Once Neil Aspin’s side had edged ahead, they didn’t look like relinquishing their slender advantage and saw the game out.

Sargeant, preferred to Glyn Thompson in goal for the first time since mid-October, also made two good saves in the closing stages to stop Ryan Toulson and Liam Needham extending Halifax’s advantage.

Until that point, the hosts had been largely solid at the back, with newcomer Graham Hutchison slotting in alongside Jacob Rowe until the former suffered concussion and was replaced by Lee Ayres.

In truth, however, it was a game of few chances and City were unable to make the most of theirs during a first-half in which they were in the ascendancy.

Perhaps taking advantage of Halifax’s late arrival at the ground due to the visitors’ coach breaking down, delaying kick-off by 20 minutes, City were quick out of the blocks.

Man-of-the-match Mills, a major threat on the flanks, three times drew saves from keeper Matt Glennon, while Mike Symons managed to plant the ball over from inside the six-yard box.

But such profligacy was costly as City seldom worried Glennon in the second period.

For all their possession and attacking play, the final ball to penetrate the Halifax defence didn’t materialise.

That's not to say Worcester weren’t trying, they were, but it’s not the first time creativity has been called into question this season.

Even the introduction of Danny Glover and Michael Taylor, both making welcome returns from injury, couldn’t change their fortunes, something Carl Heeley’s team desperately need.

Despite their fourth 1,000-plus gate of the season, they haven’t won at home now in the league since September 15 and, although seventh is nothing to be ashamed of, have dropped out of the play-off zone.

They will now be looking for victory against Bradford Park Avenue this Saturday, again at the Lane, to change all that.