Vauxhall Motors 2 Worcester City 0 WORCESTER City's unbeaten start to the season on the road came to an end when they pushed the self-destruct button at Vauxhall Motors.

From a seemingly comfortable position, Andy Preece's side managed to leave Ellesmere Port with nothing for their efforts on Saturday.

They were in control of the game until the hour mark, when Mark Danks missed a penalty, and later had Adam Burley sent off for two yellow cards in five minutes, which ultimately cost City the match.

Burley appeared to be cautioned for ungentlemanly conduct on 65 minutes for making the most of an injury. He then kicked the ball away in frustration five minutes later, prompting the referee to send him off.

It was totally out of character for Burley, who had to trudge the length of the field to reach the changing rooms, but was equally a lack of discipline City can ill afford.

Already without striker Craig Wilding through suspension, the St George's Lane club now face being without Burley, an ever-present to date, for at least one match.

Both of Vauxhall Motors' goals came down City's left side once Burley had vacated that position, despite George Clegg deputising.

The first, on 73 minutes, had an element of fortune about it as Karl O' Donnell's shot beat Danny McDonnell and came back off the post for Anthony Wright to tap home.

The second, 11 minutes later, came on the break as City pushed forward for an equaliser. O'Donnell sprung the offside trap and neatly played a square pass for Lee Furlong to fire past McDonnell, effectively ending the game as a contest.

City, though, had started the better and came out of the blocks quickly despite arriving at Rivacre Park just half an hour before kick-off because of traffic hold ups on the M6.

The visitors' approach play was excellent at times, and they passed the ball with confidence, but their exertions often lacked a good ball in the final third.

But Danks, starting up front with Abderrahman Traore instead of Wilding, had several early efforts, while Nick Colley was unlucky not to connect with a Burley cross.

But, the best chance fell to Justin Thompson on 34 minutes, the defender pulling a shot wide with his left foot from 12 yards.

Yet it was by no means one-way traffic as Vauxhall, fifth in the table before played started, looked dangerous going forward and went close on two occasions through Furlong.

Traore came within a whisker of giving City the lead five minutes after the interval when he had a shot saved by Lake's outstretched foot.

Then, 10 minutes later, City were awarded a penalty when skipper Des Lyttle had his legs taken by Brian Moogan, who was booked, but Lake guessed correctly and pushed away Danks' weak spot kick to his left.

From there, the wheels came off the City bandwagon, despite another superb performance from Shabir Khan, as frustration began to set in, personified by Burley, and the hosts got stronger.

Manager Preece came on for Traore once the first goal had gone in and Jai Stanley later replaced Colley, but both had little impact as the game slipped from City's grasp.

City: McDonnell, Jenkins, Burley, Khan, Thompson, Lyttle, Colley (Stanley 79), Smith, Danks, Traore (Preece 73), Clegg. Subs not used: Hodnett, Pearce, Wood.

Attendance: 237.