Saturday, April 28, 2001

WORCESTER City goalkeeper Danny McDonnell gave Margate a huge helping hand towards the Dr Martens League Premier Division title.

McDonnell, who'd kept the leaders at bay with three superb saves in the first-half of Saturday's game at Hartsdown Park, gave away two penalties within seconds of each other, with the half-time interval between them.

Both spot-kicks were converted, and that gave City, who'd competed reasonably well, too big a mountain to climb against the league's meanest defence.

Margate's 3-0 win leaves them needing just a point for the championship and dealt a big blow to City's hopes of claiming third place, although they stay fifth.

Boss John Barton said afterwards: "I think the result flattered them a bit, and it would have been interesting to see what would have happened if we had got through to half-time at 0-0.

"We defended relatively well and dealt with a lot of set-piece situations, but it was basically two goals in a minute.

"I think the first one was an obvious penalty but the second one was dubious to say the least. Danny lost his head a little in the first situation but he had been tremendous up until then."

However, Barton said he was "bitterly disappointed" with City's play at the other end, adding: "We have had chances but I didn't see much conviction about our play in their penalty area."

City made a bright start despite an obvious hangover from their Dr Martens Cup celebrations and Paul Carty, revelling in a return to the centre of midfield, should have put them ahead when he blazed over the bar from a good position after his first effort was blocked by 'keeper Lee Turner.

As expected, Margate then pushed forward but City defended confidently and McDonnell earned his corn with three cracking saves to deny the league's top scorer Phil Collins, as well as Mark Munday and Lee Williams.

But in first-half stoppage time McDonnell tried to take Martin Weir's backpass on the chest, it spun away from him and he tripped Collins as both chased the loose ball. Collins sent McDonnell the wrong way from the spot.

It was a big psychological blow and was followed by another within 10 seconds of the start of the second-half. McDonnell was perhaps harshly adjudged to have flattened Leon Braithwaite as he tried to reach Collins' cross, and the City 'keeper was booked before Collins sent him the wrong way again.

To be fair, City arguably had the better of play after that but created few chances, although Mark Owen and wing-back Wesley Joyce both hit shots that brought the best out of Turner.

But Margate finished with a flourish and a minute from time Munday, who had earlier hit the bar, headed home the third following a corner.