PAUL Davies has quit as assistant manager of Worcester City.

The 39-year-old, who joined the club in January, resigned at the weekend after talks with manager John Barton.

The former Kidderminster Harriers striker will stay at the club as playing cover until the Christmas programme is completed.

Davies was brought in as assistant by former boss Graham Allner and agreed to stay on after Allner's resignation last month.

He said: "John has come in, brought Mick Tuohy in and kept me on, but I wasn't comfortable with it, having been part of Graham's regime.

"He is using a different playing system which renders me of no use to him, really."

But he said he had enjoyed his time at City. "It has been a great experience in many ways, and in terms of progression of my coaching career, it has been a great move."

Barton has yet to decide who will fill Davies' role although coach Tuohy could take on the extra responsibilities.

He said: "Paul was tremendously loyal to Graham and has found it very difficult, although his work as an assistant manager has been good."

Barton is urging City fans not to get carried away by their improved form, after Saturday's 2-1 win over Ilkeston lifted them out of the Dr Martens League Premier Division relegation zone for the first time this season.

He said: "We are not out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination. We had a great result on Saturday and a great psychological boost to get out of the bottom four, but you can quite easily go backwards and slip back into it.

"I have just sensed a little bit of expectation creeping in. It is still a massive job and anybody who thinks that it isn't just has to have a look at our remaining fixtures."

Barton believes that City's display topped that at Hayes in the FA Umbro Trophy last month.

"It was an excellent all-round performance with contributions from everyone all over the park."

The trip to Barton's old club Burton Albion will be subject to a 2.00pm inspection tomorrow.

City's youth team game against Malvern Town tonight has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.