WORCESTER City manager John Barton fears his players are lapsing into the bad habits that undermined their season last year.

The St George's Lane club were held to their third successive goalless draw at Weymouth and as a result were knocked off top spot by Tamworth at the weekend.

Barton's team still lie second in the Dr Martens Premier Division but have now failed to score in six of their last seven games and the ease with which they are squandering possession is worrying City's boss.

"Play was breaking down too easily and it was what we saw last season when in un-pressurised situations we were just giving the ball away," he said.

"The play in front of the back four was poor and we just didn't build anything.

"In the second half we didn't pick up a second ball until the last 10 minutes and when we finally did do that we had a couple of chances."

Barton added that the players must take responsibility for ending the goal drought that has engulfed the side.

"We've done what we can in training but it comes down to players," he said.

"They got us to the top of the table but by the same token they've got to be accountable for their own performances.

"In the first 20 minutes we got a grip on the game and looked quite bright and as though chances might come but after the interval we took our foot off the pace."

Adam Webster played as a lone front man but with Adam Wilde and David Holmes out wide in support, Barton felt they had the system to get goals.

"We effectively had three up front with Adam Wilde and David Holmes pushing on and four if you include Darren Middleton," he added.

"We can't be more positive than that in our attempts to break our goals hoodoo.

"Having said all that we still had a couple of chances and Carl Heeley should have scored from two yards right at the end but has completely missed it.

"We've been grinding out results but it's not happening at the moment and we've just got to keep working at it."

City are without a league match next weekend with scheduled opponents Crawley Town in FA Cup action at Tiverton Town.