ILLNESS sidelined Adam Webster during Worcester City's flying start to the season but he has bounced back to become a key figure in the side.

While collectively City's form has dipped of late Webster has remained a model of consistency built on his incredible work-rate.

The 22-year-old's appetite for the game remains an inspiration and he will lead City's attack in tomorrow's Dr Martens Premier Division clash at relegation-threatened Ilkeston Town (3pm) gunning for his 16th goal of an impressive first full season at this level.

Smashing the winner at Tamworth was one of a number of memorable goals for Webster but he admits they have counted for nothing as City have slid off the pace.

The ex-Notts County trainee is at a loss to explain the decline in results but is refusing to blame injuries.

"It was a confidence booster to score the winner against Tamworth and everyone was buzzing," he said.

"But since then it's gone wrong and I can't put my finger on why. We have faded away, you can see that by the results, but it has been difficult to explain.

"When we beat Tamworth we were full of confidence and should have been riding high, expecting and believing to beat everybody in the league.

"Perhaps we got away with it a little bit earlier in the season with a few 1-0s and late goals but since January we haven't been getting away with it.

"We've had injuries but I think the side is still strong enough. A few bad results seem to have hit confidence and belief and combined with Tamworth going on a good run it's been hard to maintain a title challenge and we've simply faded away.

"But we are still fighting for runners-up place and I believe we can achieve that.

"Everybody has bad spells but ours just came at the wrong time. Had it happened at the start of the season and Tamworth had a blip who knows what could have happened but we have to learn from it."

Ilkeston, unbeaten in seven games, held City 0-0 at St George's Lane in November, but their relegation could be confirmed tomorrow if they lose and other results go against them.

"No team is a roll-over with everybody fighting for something, even if it is just pride," said Webster. "When they played us their manager had just been sacked which always makes it a little harder because the team wants to impress.

"Tomorrow is going to be tough -- they will be fighting hard but so will Grantham and Hednesford who we have to play.

"Physically we can do a job, it's just about getting mentally right and if we do that we can get second spot."

City's reserves entertain Shepshed tomorrow (2.45) in the Midland Combination.

FORMCAST: It all points to a 1-1 draw.