PAT Lyons believes hard graft and solid defence hold the key to Worcester City finding success against Weston-super-Mare tomorrow.

The midfielder admits confidence in the side has taken a battering of late but remains optimistic City can haul themselves out of their current poor run of results.

John Barton's team will be anxious to avoid an unwelcome hat-trick of home defeats but also be hoping to hit their stride in time for next week's FA Trophy clash at Marine.

Weston, while enjoying FA Cup success which has earned them a second round tie at Northampton, have in fact stuttered in the Dr Martens Premier Division since beating Worcester in September, with just one further win in seven matches and three defeats.

But with nothing quite going to plan in the City camp at present and with the Seagulls already having enjoyed one stroke of fortune at City's expense, courtesy of Mark McKeever's fluke winner in September, Barton's team will be treading carefully.

McKeever is likely to be missing with a hamstring injury while Marc McGregor, who has been in good form, has been called back to Tamworth.

Lyons believes City must be prepared to grind out a result if necessary tomorrow to boost flagging confidence.

"Weston have done well in the FA Cup and will no doubt have a bit of confidence but we just need to knuckle down and grind out a result," said Lyons.

"I think what has happened is that our confidence has suffered and we're been chasing games lately.

"We always seem to be fighting against players that are a goal up.

"We need to keep it tight early on, grab a goal and let our confidence grow."

Lyons is frank in his assessment of City's current predicament, which has netted them 15 points from a possible 42, and acknowledges a win is absolutely crucial.

"The result is the main thing to give us confidence," he said.

"Everybody knows we are not playing to our full potential and it just comes down to confidence.

"We need a win and it would be nice to play well and then go into the FA Trophy game at Marine with a little break from the league and three points on board."

"Looking at myself I know when I came back I thought I was doing OK but I've had a blip in one or two games," he added.

"The first half against Hednesford I got involved but didn't really see too much of the ball after the break.

"All of us need to have a bit more confidence and guile about ourselves.

"We've got to get the ball down and play our game which is a passing game. I can do better and a lot of the players will tell you the same."

City's reserve team are in Midland Combination Reserve Division action at Quorn.

FORMCAST: City to win 2-0.