STRIKER Mark Owen faces at least six weeks on the sidelines after cracking three ribs during Worcester City's 2-1 Carthium Cup win over Stafford Rangers at St George's Lane last night.

Owen was taken by ambulance to Worcestershire Royal Hospital after colliding heavily into a pitchside hoarding following a challenge by Stafford substitute Richard Beale.

It happened 10 minutes before the end of the tie and moments after Owen had put City two goals in front with his fourth strike in four games. The 27-year-old was detained in hospital overnight and a scan today revealed the full extent of the injury.

It took the gloss off an impressive and workmanlike City performance, with left-foot pearlers from Liam McDonald and Owen sending John Barton's side into a second round tie at Droylsden despite a late goal from Stafford's Aaron Brown in stoppage time.

Barton said: "It's a cruel blow for Mark and for everybody all round. It's really, really sad. I knew immediately that he had done something and I think everyone else felt that.

"He had trouble breathing and there is obviously damage to his ribs.

"Words fail me at the moment. We can take a victory and congratulate ourselves on the one hand, but there seems to be a penalty at the end of the day."

Barton made four changes to the side that beat Altrincham on Saturday, with youngsters Shabir Khan, Tom Warmer and McDonald all given a chance to shine.

City made an immediate impact against weakened Stafford and took the lead on four minutes, McDonald intercepting a poor clearance from Brown before dispatching a 20-yard left-foot shot past goalkeeper James Lindley into the bottom corner.

Stafford's Mark Danks wasted his side's best effort of an equaliser when shot straight at James Coates inside the box.

Les Hines almost doubled the lead for City on 49 minutes with a left-foot drive which crashed against the post.

But Owen made no mistake on 74 minutes, picking up the ball from the edge of the box before executing an inch-perfect curler past the despairing Lindley.

Brown grabbed a consolation for Rangers when he ghosted in at the back post to head home Daniel Edwards' corner.

City: Coates 7, Warner 7, Hines 7, Khan 7, H Heeley 8, McDonald 7, Colley 6, Snape 6, Owen 7 (Hoyle 85), Webster 6 (Kelly 67, 6), Warmer 6. Subs (not used): Lyons, Carty, Skyers. Attendance: 309.