Tuesday, November 6, 2001

MANAGER John Barton blasted his defence as Worcester City crashed out of the FA Umbro Trophy last night after Mangotsfield United snatched an extra time winner at Cossham Street.

The first round replay looked to be heading towards penalties until David Seal struck a 108th-minute winner.

A slip by City skipper Carl Heeley allowed the striker a run on goal, and 'keeper Paul Wyatt, who had endured a torrid night, dallied on coming out, allowing Seal to shoot low and wrap up a 2-1 victory for Mangotsfield.

After the match Barton was blunt in his assessment of his side.

"I'm fed up of looking at strikers, at whatever level we play at, dominating our defenders. It's happened again and I thought our two central defenders were appalling, absolutely appalling," he said.

"There was a mistake for the winning goal and it's hard after you've slogged your guts out for 120 minutes and then end up surrendering it on a mistake -- it happens to often.

"We've had chances but didn't finish anything -- we had plenty of play, chances and possession but had no conviction at either end."

In truth City can have no real complaints despite creating enough chances to have won with Mark Shepherd guilty of squandering several good efforts.

The home side dominated the first half, Rob Claridge and Danny Hallett spurning golden opportunities before Mark Summers hit the opener in the 26th minute after Wyatt had parried a Hadleigh Winter shot into his path.

Phil Stant equalised from a hotly disputed penalty -- awarded by referee Dave Commander, a late replacement for Saturday's controversial official Andy Williams who conveniently had a prior engagement -- after Shepherd was fouled in the 40th minute.

But City improved in the second half with Darren Bullock at the hub of all their best play. A superb Stant turn and shot after 53 minutes was bravely saved by Dave Dyson who proved a thorn in the visitors' side with a succession of saves.

In the 72nd minute Shepherd had a goal disallowed for offside and the same fate awaited United's Seal a minute later.

Despite piling on pressure City could not break through and the match went into extra time where Stant went close with a delightful chip that Dyson plucked out from under the bar in the 105th minute.

But the game was settled three minutes later when Seal punished City to send the Dr Martens Western Division side through for a clash with Dorchester Town.

Worcester: Wyatt 5, Davies 6, Jukes 7, Heeley 6, Weir 6, Holloway 6, Shepherd 7, Ellis 5 (Burrow 57, 5), Stant 7, Bullock 8, Hyde 7 (McFarlane 109). Subs not used: Goodman, Carty, McDonnell.

Attendance: 317.