CONSISTENCY is the key to Worcester City mounting a serious title challenge, says manager John Barton.

City go into tomorrow's home Dr Martens League Premier Division clash with Dorchester Town (3pm) having lost only once in their last eight matches and lying sixth in the table.

But Barton says they have to be more consistent even than that to mount a serious title charge.

He said: "We have to take some confidence from our recent run, and we know every game is difficult and each opposition provides its own set of problems for you.

"If we can strike the consistency in our game and the right level of performance, then I am quite confident we can extend this run, but that is the big question for us."

Of course, City's one defeat in their present run was the 5-0 FA Cup thrashing at Hampton.

Barton added: "We can't keep referring back to the Hampton result, but it did serve a notice to what we are capable of on occasions."

The City boss believes that Dorchester's lowly league position disguises the fact that they are dangerous opponents.

"I have seen them a couple of times this season and have been quite impressed with them. They have two dangerous strikers in Danny O'Hagan and Owen Pickard who are capable of scoring, and they have other decent players as well.

"They are a decent side and I wouldn't read too much into their league position."

Barton also believes they won't be distracted by their upcoming FA Cup first round tie at Wigan next week. "If it was my side I would be disappointed if they were."

City, who entertain Blakenall in the Dr Martens Cup first round on Monday, are without dislocated shoulder victim Chris Greenman but could have striker Carl Tranter and defender Martin Weir back from injury, while midfielder Paul Carty returns from suspension.

Worcester (from): McDonnell, P. Wyatt, Bradley, Jukes, Tucker, Heeley, Weir, Carty, Lutz, M. Wyatt, Cottrill, Owen, Cotter, Tranter, Reed, Hyde, Scheppel, Jefferson, Joyce.