Tuesday, September 11, 2001

A BELOW-par Worcester City shared a 0-0 draw at Merthyr Tydfil last night in a match that was as dour and grey as the slate mountains overlooking the town.

The Dr Martens Premier Division clash started disastrously for City when Martin Weir was stretchered off after five minutes with a gashed shin after an ugly collision with Merthyr's Ian Edwards.

And it ended disappointingly when substitute Dwain McFarlane missed from eight yards deep in stoppage time.

In between there was little to stir the emotions apart from a Danny Carter free-kick that rattled Paul Wyatt's crossbar and a couple of Mark Owen half-chances that had Martyrs 'keeper Neil Thomas scrambling across his goal.

City boss John Barton's frustration was evident as he became increasingly animated on the sidelines.

His side never looked in danger of losing but in turn rarely threatened themselves until McFarlane was put through by the industrious Jon Holloway in the 92nd minute.

The young winger had the goal at his mercy but shot straight at Thomas from eight yards leaving Barton to reflect on two points gone awry and cursing his luck.

"That's what a lucky manager needs to put on a substitute who scores a winner," he said. "We're disappointed not to have won it with the chances we've had late on and that has made it frustrating."

Wyatt had his heart in his mouth on 27 minutes when he brought down Andy Mainwaring on the edge of the box but received just a caution.

City's best effort of the first half fell to Mark Shepherd but he hooked the ball wide with just the keeper to beat.

Owen forced a good save from Thomas on 66 minutes and on 75 minutes had a snap shot turned away for a corner.

After the game, Barton was again left to rue missed chances. "When you have a golden opportunity to win the game in injury time your mind wanders, and with the chan-ces we had against Newport and these tonight it's cost us four points.

"Shep's had a chance in the first half and to be fair I think it was a winning draw but it was disappointing and in the fullness of time we'll probably look back and see it as two points dropped."

Worcester: Wyatt 6, Burrow 6, Weir (Cottrill 7 mins, 6), Jukes 5, Heeley 6, Holloway 7, Middleton 5, Ellis 6, Owen 6, Shepherd 6, Hyde 5 (McFarlane 66, 6). Sub not used: Carty.

Star man: Jon Holloway.

Attendance: 498.

City entertain Boston United in the Central Conference tonight (7.45).