TEENAGE debutant Sha-bir Khan provided a rare bright spot as Worcester City crashed out of the Dr Martens League Cup to Moor Green last night.

Goals from Daire Doyle midway through the first-half and in stoppage time from the penalty spot, condemned City to a 2-0 home defeat but there was an added blow with the loss of Barry Woolley to injury.

The defender limped off with a muscle problem, putting his participation in Saturday's crunch clash with Nuneaton Borough in jeopardy.

In a match with few positives for City, Khan's display earned plaudits from manager John Barton, who admitted the youngster had played himself into contention for Saturday's squad.

"That performance for a young lad from youth football, against a side as strong as that, is a good omen," said Barton.

"We're pleased with him and he should be pleased with himself."

Leon Kelly apart, there were few other City players that could claim that feeling, and if recent victories against Newport County and Redditch United had injected some optimism among the home side's ranks it soon disappeared in the blustery conditions.

The suspended John Snape was badly missed in midfield, while Barton's decision to leave Mark Owen on the bench, despite a run of five goals in three games, back-fired with City posing little threat up front.

Chances proved rare for a Worcester side unable to make in-roads against the Moors' well-marshalled lines. It left Kelly to forage for scraps in typically robust style which nearly netted a superb breakaway goal but his finish went inches past the post.

Moor Green in contrast had much more bite about their play though Doyle's opening goal in the 29th minute owed much to Allan Davies' clearance striking Neil Davis and rebounding into his path.

Danny McDonnell was in fine form, denying Davis with a brilliant stop in the 67th minute, but was beaten again in stoppage time when Jon Holloway handled to concede a penalty.

Barton was ultimately left disappointed.

"We were the best team for the opening half-hour, but as in previous disappointing performances, have not made it pay with a goal while on top," said Barton.

"The longer the game went on the more ragged we became. I was not happy with the display, far from it, but the players you're looking to give us a bit extra weren't available to us."