DARREN Middleton has some unfinished business with visitors Chelmsford City at St George's Lane in the Dr Martens Premier Division tomorrow (3pm).

A combination of the crossbar and wayward shooting denied Worcester City's leading scorer a hat-trick in the sides' August meeting at Billericay.

Despite Middleton converting a penalty City had to settle for a 1-1 draw and a generally frustrating day was completed when the team bus went up in smoke on the M25.

Middleton therefore is eager to make amends but with Paul Parker's side bouncing back from an ego-bruising 4-0 home defeat to leaders Tamworth with a 1-0 win at Dover in the Dr Martens Cup, will not be counting any proverbial chickens.

"Chelmsford won't be a foregone conclusion and after getting thrashed by Tamworth will be keen to bounce back," he said.

"I felt we should have won at their place and before that match the gaffer said it could be two points dropped if we were not on our toes.

"We created an awful lot of chances and I think I hit the bar twice but we didn't win.

"We should have won and tomorrow we'll be in front of our home crowd which gives us a great chance of a win to send us into the Christmas period on a high.

"Chelmsford are mid-table and are not doing anything fancy or spectacular but with Paul Parker as manager have plenty of experience to call upon."

If there is one sore point in City's successful season to date it is the number of draws City have chalked up which now stands at nine.

Middleton admits there was an air of disappointment after yet more shared points in their goalless draw at fellow high-flyers Chippenham Town last weekend.

"I think we have got to the stage now where we are doing well in the league and even though we were playing the third-placed side we felt we had enough possession may be to have won," he said.

"The fact we are disappointed that we didn't pick up three points against a top three side is a sign of our growing confidence."

Middleton, now in his second season at St George's Lane, is happy with his form in midfield as he continues to develop as a player.

"I had a really good start with almost a goal a game but then dropped back into midfield and am playing a bit different now," he said.

"Someone came to see me last week and thought I was playing too deep but the gaffer wants me to hold the runs and get the balance and support John Snape in the middle.

"I think my game has developed. At Villa they always wanted to improve my heading and tackling and that has got better.

"Maybe I'm becoming more of a complete player as my career progresses."

FORMCAST: City to clinch a 2-0 win.