JOHN Barton's new year resolutions of a clean sheet and winning start to 2005 were blown off course as Worcester City crashed to a wet and windy bump at Manor Park.

Gez Murphy's first-half penalty, harshly awarded for handball against Les Hines, and a last-minute tap-in from Stuart Whittaker secured three Nationwide North points for Nuneaton Borough.

It was enough to leave the more frustrated of City supporters wishing it had been yet another called-off game as they headed back down the M5 sodden from the weather.

As it happens, the chances of a wash-out may have been strong had the pitch failed to soak up a 90-minute lashing which swirled non-stop across the ground.

Despite the atrocious conditions, City played attractive football for the majority of the game and merited at least a share of the spoils, not a two-goal defeat.

Striker Mark Owen said: "We were unlucky. I felt we played ever so well at times.

"We worked hard and other than for a five or ten-minute spell in the first-half, I thought we were the better side.

"We dominated in the second-half. We played some good stuff and it was just in the final third where we did not get the rub of the green and it's cost us. Sometimes the result does not match the performance.

"With the first penalty, to be fair, Les has just come out to close the ball and it has been blasted at him. He could not get out of the way, the referee has given it and we all disagreed with him."

City's preparations were dented before kick-off with the absence of Burton-based duo Colin Hoyle and Pat Lyons, both stricken with a flu bug.

It meant Barton, who began the first of a four-game touchline ban, opted for his preferred 4-4-2 system.

Adam Webster and Tom Warmer were given wide midfield duties and veteran Paul Carty started in the centre.

Rushing Carty back into action following a 10-week calf lay-off was the last thing Barton wanted to do, but the former Nuneaton man surprised all with an energetic box-to-box display.

City started the brighter and deserved better on 10 minutes when a four-man move ended with Warmer's 12-yard shot thwarted by a last-ditch block.

At the other end, Boro's assistant boss Kevin Wilkin had a header ruled out for off-side on 23 minutes and a Whittaker corner struck the outside of the post when Murphy flicked on.

The game turned on 35 minutes when referee Ian Smedley pointed to the spot after Murphy's shot struck Hines' left arm.

Murphy stepped up and drilled the penalty low straight down the middle.

City 'keeper Danny McDonnell then denied Mark Noon with a stunning one-handed save, while Boro's number one Darren Acton parried Adam Webster's header and Leon Kelly failed to convert in the subsequent goalmouth scramble.

City pressed after the break for an equaliser and full-back Rob Warner came close on the hour when his 25-yard effort took a wicked deflection to sail over the bar.

Barry Woolley was desperately unlucky not to score from the resultant corner whipped in by Hines.

The defender's powerful header ricocheted against a goal-line defender and struck the underside of the crossbar before Boro hacked it to safety.

Jai Stanley came close with a 20-yard curler and stout defending denied Carl Heeley from Dean Clarke's cross in an exciting finish.

Boro wrapped up proceedings in stoppage time after a second penalty was awarded when McDonnell was harshly ruled to have hauled down Michael Frew.

The young substitute's spot-kick was saved by McDonnell's legs but City were slow to react to the rebound and Whittaker side-footed home.

City: McDonnell 8, Warner 6, Hines 6, Woolley 6, Heeley 6, Webster 6, *Carty 8, Stanley 7, Kelly 6, Owen 6, Warmer 7. Subs not used: Snape, Smith, McDonald, Skyers.

Attendance: 1,068.