Worcester City 2 Bromley 1

MARK Owen was the spot-kick saviour as Worcester City booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Umbro Trophy.

The striker's 16th goal of the season just six minutes from time sealed a rather fortunate 2-1 victory over Bromley on Saturday.

City, who were well below their best, for once had the rub of the green as they capitalised on a penalty decision which was by no means clear-cut, and an early disallowed goal for the visitors which looked perfectly legitimate.

But in cup competitions, the only thing that matters is getting through -- so City achieved their objective.

Transfer-listed midfielder Paul Carty, who found the net for the third game in a row to score City's equaliser, said afterwards: "The first half was a bit scrappy and we didn't really get to the pace of the game.

"They were probably playing as well as they could, but we really had to go out and raise the tempo of the game, and we did that.

"We rode our luck at times -- they had a goal disallowed which I didn't see anything wrong with, and hit the post. But we gave everything in the second half and got a result.

"For the penalty Jon Purdie has gone past his man and they can't really complain -- it was a late two-footed tackle on him anyway."

Carty says he is keen to stay at the club. "I haven't particularly said I want to leave but I want to play in midfield, and I am just emphasising the fact with the goals I am getting."

Manager John Barton said: "The first half performance was as poor as it has been since I have come to the club.

"We were just hoping we would get to half-time with no goals because we didn't deserve to.

"But we maintained the pace of the game in the second half which was a quick tempo. Paul has done ever so well for his goal -- Keith Knight has put him in and it was a terrific turn of pace and an excellent finish.

"I have seen Paul produce that as a matter of course but for one reason or another it hasn't been seen by too many Worcester supporters. Since half-time against Newport we have had a perfect response from him."

City had Martin Weir back from injury in defence although a broken toe ruled out his partner Mark Tucker. Carl Heeley stepped into the breach and the pair's solidity helped keep City in the game.

City were highly confident after disposing of Conference side Hayes in the last round, but the Ryman League Division One visitors had not read the script and tore into them from the start.

They were unlucky after only five minutes when Matthew Woolf headed home a corner only for it to be harshly ruled out for a push on City keeper Danny Watson.

But they continued to force the pace, Watson having to make two fine saves, while an extra man in midfield strangled City's creativity in that area.

Three minutes before the break they deservedly took the lead when Watson failed to cut out Ian Rawlings' left-wing cross and David Gray headed home at the far post.

A half-time rollicking from Barton and the added bite of Ian Cottrill, who came on for the second period, finally shook City into life although they were fortunate on 56 minutes when Dean Francis' chip beat Watson but came back off the post.

That proved a turning point as five minutes later, Keith Knight's pass released the rejuvenated Carty, who burst ahead of two defenders and slid the ball past advancing 'keeper Danny Harwood for the equaliser.

With Owen and Steve Lutz working hard to stretch the visitors' defence, City stepped up the pressure.

But Bromley were in sight of a replay which they deserved until Jon Purdie embarked on a characteristic run into the area. He seemed to make the most of his fall as Gray came in with a challenge and referee John Far-ries pointed to the penalty spot, enabling Owen to send Harwood the wrong way.