Monday, August 27, 2001

WORCESTER City pulled off a sensational smash-and-grab raid with two last gasp goals for a 4-3 victory over Hinckley United in the Dr Mar-tens Premier Division last night.

Substitute Marc Burrow equalised to make it 3-3 in the 90th minute before Darren Middleton struck a superb chip from 25 yards deep into injury time to seal an unlikely three points.

"It was an unbelievable game," said Middleton.

"To finish like that 4-3 when everyone is walking out is fantastic. It is a great result.

"We didn't get going and were always chasing the game.

"We just need to get a few basics right but we've got a good team spirit and we've just got to start games a bit better."

Outplayed and outfought for much of the match, City seemed bereft of ideas and short of confidence and were behind after 32 minutes when Jamie Lenton poked home from close range after goalkeeper Paul Wyatt failed to gather a cross.

The Knitters were two up on 44 minutes when a static Worcester defence was exposed by the pacy Paul Hunter who raced through to blast his shot into the roof of the net.

Mark Owen's predatory instincts gave John Barton's men a lifeline in first half stoppage time when he volleyed a half-chance into the corner.

Barton made changes at half-time bringing on Burrow and Dwain McFarlane for Matthew Gardiner and Jon Holloway.

City began the second-half at a higher tempo and Phil Stant forced a finger-tip save from Scott Bentley on 57 minutes.

A minute later Worcester were level after Owen coolly converted a penalty following a foul on fellow striker Stant.

But five minutes later Hinckley were ahead again following a quick free-kick by Titterton after Middleton had conceded a needless free- kick 20 yards out.

At that point there appeared to be only one winner as City winger Ian Reed spurned a good chance by volleying high and wide on 72 minutes.

But with 90 minutes on the clock, the hard running Owen won the ball on the left and swung in a cross for Burrow to rise and head down at the far post to square the match.

Hinckley still had another chance to claim all three points when City were caught at the back but Lenton somehow volleyed over from six yards.

Middleton then stepped forward to raise the roof at St George's Lane.

Worcester: Wyatt 5, Gardiner 5 (45m Burrow 6), Jukes 6, Heeley 6, Weir 5, Holloway 5 (45m McFarlane 5), Middleton 6, Ellis 5, Owen 8, Stant 6, Reed 5.