Chelmsford City 2 Worcester City 1

IF Ian Cottrill's freak accident in the dressing room summed up Worcester City's luck with injuries this season then their failure to beat a poor Chelsmford City spoke volumes for their on-field deficiencies.

John Barton's side were on balance the better team but despite dominating the second half managed to lose 2-1 to a late winner and complete a miserable hat-trick of defeats.

The omens were already looking bleak before 3pm when the unfortunate Cottrill twisted his ankle after slipping on the floor.

But his manager's woes were further increased when City, as they have so often this year, were unable to convert pressure into clear-cut chances, lacking a final ball.

Fortunes deteriorated further with Stewart Hadley's half time substitution for his Achilles problem and the sight of Jon Holloway limping off after 57 minutes.

Nathan Jukes, who in many ways had a good game with two fiercely struck drives and a cross for City's equaliser, was the guilty culprit in the second half when, in a three on two break, he clumsily over hit an 83rd minute pass to a totally unmarked Darren Middleton.

It proved costly and a minute later substitute Junior Samuels scrambled a corner home to give Paul Parker's side a valuable win which should ease their relegation fears.

Hoofs

City, as they have of late, started the match in erratic fashion with plenty of aimless hoofs up front and little composure or pattern to the play.

Chelmsford opened the scoring after 12 minutes when a static City defence stood rooted to the spot as Kris Lee reacted to a header over the top and slid the ball past Danny McDonnell.

They should have been two up in a repeat performance nine minutes later but Ben Fuller blasted wildly over.

That proved the turning point and City, with Jukes at heart of it, began to string some passes together and his 27th minute corner led to the equaliser.

Keeper Richard Hurst punched Jukes' vicious inswinging corner out but the midfielder's return ball proved even more dangerous and from the resulting confusion Adam Webster stabbed home from six yards.

Some impressive exchanges and a beautifully weighted ball by Hadley led to Jukes almost grabbing a second but Hurst half blocked his shot before his defence scrambled the ball clear.

The second half saw the introduction of Mark Shepherd whose assured touch and excellent passing, helped City gain the upper hand and he was involved in a 65th minute build up which resulted in a Jukes drive whistling just inches over.

Fuller tested McDonnell at the other end but with Mark Shail once again City's best player, Chelmsford appeared a distant threat.

Tom Poston, making his full debut for City, forced Hurst to concede a corner in the 76th minute but still Barton's men could not find a way through and despite decent possession could not find the breakthrough.

Six minutes from time Samuels struck the gut-wrenching blow to City that assistant boss Mick Tuohy admitted had left them shellshocked.

"We are a bit shellshocked at the moment -- three defeats in a row and I can't remember too many of those during John's time," he said.

"We've got three games left, two at home, and we want to get the same points as last year at least but it is looking a daunting task at the moment.

"There were a few complaints at half time about the hard ground, wind and the sun but Mark Shepherd came on and his touch was outstanding and he brought people into the game.

"It was just a shame he didn't get a chance on goal that his performance deserved. Ultimately you get what you deserve and we conceded late on and I just think we lacked that mental strength to see it through."