Saturday, November 3, 2001

SUBSTITUTE Mark Shepherd injected some much needed life into a Worcester City performance that was in danger of flat-lining after Mangotsfield United had taken a shock lead in this first round FA Trophy clash at St George's Lane which ended 1-1.

But despite his galvanising influence City still needed two superb Paul Wyatt saves, including a penalty late on, to keep them in the tie and survive for a replay on Tuesday night.

A chorus of boos and a stewards' escort to safety was the sum total of appreciation for referee Andy Williams' poor display but even he could not be faulted for City's lifeless performance in the first half.

Indeed the lacklustre opening period suggested it was a case of after the Lord Mayor's Ball for most of the City players after Monday's FA Cup win and they went into the break a goal down after Mark Summers rose to head in from close range.

The turning point came when Darren Middleton was stretchered off in the 61st minute to be replaced by the lively Shepherd who within a minute chested down an Andy Ellis free kick and volleyed narrowly over.

Up until the 23-year-old's introduction City had beavered away for little reward with no clear cutting edge in front of goal.

A marvellous piece of opportunism by Phil Stant with an audacious 12th minute cross shot from wide on the right that almost caught out Dave Dyson was the only incident of note for City in the opening period.

The visitors took a 24th minute lead with a rare foray up front when Darren Bullock gave away a needless free kick on the right which Summers punished in the best possible way.

Allan Davies replaced Dwain McFarlane at half-time but it was Nathan Jukes on a rare surge up front who almost levelled when he brought out a terrific save from Dyson.

The injury to Middleton brought on Shepherd whose tenacity and enthusiasm roused the City side.

Mangotsfield remained dangerous and Robert Claridge struck the bar before Jamie Hyde equalised in the 67th minute to finish off a neat move involving Bullock and Davies.

Skipper Carl Heeley headed narrowly over on 71 minutes before fouling Darren Edwards to concede an 84th minute penalty.

Paul Wyatt, who almost dropped a clanger when a David Seal effort went through his legs, responded by twice denying the forward a late winner with a brilliant penalty save and a parry with the striker through on goal.

For Heeley the penalty save was justice for what he felt was a perfectly timed tackle.

"First half we were a little bit off the pace but still the better side but they had one chance and scored with a free header which was disappointing but in the second half we murdered them and I don't know how we didn't win," he said.

"Shep was outstanding, set things up and looked very sharp and is probably the reason we are still in the Trophy.

"I don't want to say too much about the referee but the penalty decision speaks for itself. You can't get a better tackle than that, there's nothing wrong with that, it's a desperate decision.

Justice

"Paul's save was justice. Managers lose their jobs over decisions like that."

Boss John Barton agreed that Shepherd's introduction had turned the match but he was again concerned at the silly goal conceded by his team.

"Shep has come on and injected a bit of life into our performance. Up till then we had not played and once again conceded a silly free kick and a guy's come up with a free header and that is happening too often," he said.

"We huffed and puffed and created chances but once again as per Belper we are still pleased to be in it with the penalty and other chances.

"The game was always going to be a difficult one, it's similar to the Moor Green game with a side knocked out of the cup and eager not to go out of two cups in a week."

GOALSCORERS: Summers 24 (0-1), Hyde 67 (1-1).

STAR PLAYER: Mark Shepherd.

CARDS: Worcester; Holloway (dissent), Shepherd (dissent), Davies (elbow) (all yellow).

ATTENDANCE: 862.

REFEREE: Mr M.A. Williams (Hereford).

Worcester: Wyatt 7, McFarlane 6 (Davies 7, 46), Jukes 7, Heeley 6, Weir 6, Holloway 7, Middleton 6 (Shepherd 8, 61), Ellis 7, Stant 6, Bullock 7, Hyde 7. Subs not used: Burrow, McDonnell, Goodman.

MANGOTSFIELD: Dyson, Pendry (Edwards 64), Hallett, Barlass, Russell, Loydon, Summers, Sims, Claridge, Seal, Winter. Subs not used: Cottle, Allen, Penny.