ANDY Preece and John Snape were embroiled in a fiery last-minute bust up as Worcester City's wretched season took another nose-dive.

The two veterans squared up for a centre-circle playground fight and shown yellow cards before time was called on a fair Midlands draw at Damson Park.

In an amazing scene between the former Worcester team-mates, Preece barged Snape to the floor and was incensed enough to demand seconds.

It was volatile stuff by the player-manager after being wound up rotten by Snape. He actually needed restraining as the red mist descended.

Predictably, the Moor Green man instigated the scuffle by clattering into Preece with a poor lunge. It has become Snapper's trademark down the years to send opposing players over the edge.

The fracas left a sour taste in the mouth, in similar fashion to City's poor second-half performance.

Worcester had a storming opening 45 minutes, producing their best football of the season to date.

Despite injuries to five senior players, there was plenty to be impressed about. Liam McDonald enjoyed one of his best days for the club, tormenting Moors' full-back Junior English with a skilful display.

Teaming up nicely with Shabir Khan on the left flank, McDonald's thrust and dead-eye passing contributed to many impressive moves, including the one that set up Worcester's goal for Adam Webster.

Unfortunately, a leg injury to Khan before the break forced McDonald to left wing-back and curbed his natural attacking instincts.

Substitute Leon Kelly was shoved into the mix, but City couldn't quite sustain the same cutting edge in the final third.

Worcester lost the initiative after half-time and, as jitteriness crept in, another defensive mix-up cost them dearly. It was Des Lyttle's turn for a dose of misfortune, turning the ball into his own net with 10 minutes left.

Two more points dropped when Worcester should have put the contest to bed.

City are now third from bottom in Nationwide North with six points. Only Workington and Vauxhall Motors sit below them in the table.

Preece said: "We were superb in the first-half and causing all sorts of problems. Liam was outstanding on the left, working with Shab and myself.

"But as things are going really well, Shab gets injured and we have to change the shape of the team. It just upset us.

"We seemed to get to half-time OK with it, but second-half we never got to grips with it. We haven't played well second-half, but it has still taken an own goal for them to get a point out of the game."

On the incident with Snape, he added: "Snapper had a kick at me and I've got rid of the ball. A second later, he's either elbowed me or straight-armed me around the neck.

"I've got up and reacted and I know I shouldn't have done. But I didn't raise my arms, it was just chest to chest.

"If I raised my arms, I would have gone, without a doubt. But my arms were down. The way Snapper fell over, it looked worse than probably it was."

Worcester looked set for a profitable afternoon when Webster's bullet header sent them in front on 11 minutes. McDonald and Preece combined before the former's cross was met powerfully by Webster at the near post.

There were chances to double the advantage. Graham Hyde connected with an outstretched right-foot volley to Preece's chip pass, but his superb shot cannoned off the inside of the upright.

Preece's turn and left-foot drive was later tipped away by former City goalkeeper James Coates.

An equaliser was on the cards after the break as Moors grew in confidence. Neil Davis' goal-bound effort required a last-ditch block by Lyttle and dangerous Phil Trainer fired into the side-netting.

The leveller arrived from a harmless low cross by English. Danny McDonnell looked to gather the ball, but Lyttle toe-poked it past the goalkeeper and over the line.

Trainer then saw two late efforts to clinch the game sail wide.

CITY: McDonnell, Warner, Khan (Kelly 35), Smith, Hodnett, Lyttle, Warmer, Hyde, McDonald, Webster (Jones 76), Preece. Subs not used: Wedgbury, Walker, Watkins.

ATTENDANCE: 311.