Saturday, November 24, 2001

WORCESTER City surrendered a 2-0 half time lead to lose to Tamworth as defensive shortcomings were once again exposed in John Barton's side.

Despite a dream start this Dr Martens Premier clash turned into a nightmare as City crashed to a hugely disappointing 3-2 defeat at the hands of the highflying Lambs.

Barton has been frantically trying to inject some fresh blood into his injury-ravaged squad and from the manner in which City contrived to toss away a much-needed win with some poor defending it is evident to see why.

Phil Stant had given City the lead against the run of play with two superb pieces of opportunism - a 22nd minute left foot volley out of nothing and a 29th minute close range effort.

But an inability to clear the back lines properly allowed Gary Mills' team to turn the game around.

Full back Allan Davies described it as disastrous defending and it is hard to argue as City failed to deal with a succession of Rob Warner long throws.

"Everyone is stunned but we have only got ourselves to blame. We didn't even start the game second half and didn't finish it and perhaps got what we deserved in the end," said Davies.

"We didn't start the game well for the first 20 minutes, but we got the goal and seemed to put our foot on it and get further up the pitch and I thought we finished the first half the stronger side.

"We needed to start the second half well but we didn't and to concede three goals like we did was disastrous.

"They were three bad goals, long balls into the box and we've got to deal with that. That's not pointing the finger at the defence that's all the way through the team."

City had packed the midfield with Mark Shepherd on the right and Stant up front who fought a magnificent lone battle and was only denied a hat-trick by a post on 55 minutes.

Stant also put substitute Jon Holloway through on goal with City still 2-1 up but he tried to beat his man and the chance was gone.

But City's increasingly fragile defences crumbled under the weight of Tamwoth pressure as they fought their way back into the match.

The introduction of ex-City player Mark Hallam on the stroke of half time proved the turning point.

Frazer McHugh, who signed from Bromsgrove Rovers in midweek, started the fightback with a 47th minute strike and after more pressure Hallam equalised with 18 minutes to play.

The inevitable winner came from Darren Grocutt five minutes later to seal a depressing afternoon for City.