MARK Shail believes Worcester City should aspire to emulate Nationwide Conference champions Yeovil Town.

The defender had a spell with the Glovers after leaving St George's Lane in the mid 1980s and while City have stifled in the Dr Martens Premier Division, the Somerset club have marched on to achieve Football League status.

Shail, who is poised to play his last game for City at Dover Athletic tomorrow (3pm) before retiring, would love nothing more than to see Worcester reclaim its place as a force in non-league football and holds Yeovil up as a perfect model.

"They are an especially well-run club and when you consider that I when I started playing both clubs were regarded on a par within non-league football it shows what can be achieved," he said.

Shail's increasing journalistic commitments will bring the curtain down on an illustrious career but the 36-year-old adds a rider of 'never say never'.

"I'd never planned to play beyond this season but I've enjoyed my career and played for some good clubs," he said.

Shail will aim to sign off in style at Dover and has cause for optimism for John Barton's team next season.

"We'll go there with a view to winning the game and generating some momentum to kick on for next year," he said.

"We've got some good young players coming through, some experienced players and with one or two new additions I'm sure Worcester can be a threat."

Shail admits the slide in results since the Tamworth victory in January has marred an otherwise encouraging season but backs City to learn from the experience to come back stronger next year.

"I think the last couple of months have left a bitter taste in the mouth because we have tailed off," he said.

"After a season that promised so much I think you are always going to remember the last few results.

"Overall the season has been encouraging but the fact we have tailed off is a major disappointment but we go to Dover aiming to beat them and finish as high as we can.

"Once Tamworth ran away with the lead it was tough for the lads and, although it's not an excuse, we also had a number of key players injured.

"I would be surprised if John wasn't looking to add to the squad. If everybody is fit we've got a good side but Tamworth showed the benefits of strength in depth.

"Some of the younger players have done well but John knows that to really challenge he's probably going to have to bring in a couple of players and will be looking to do that.

"The problem with younger players is that it's tough for them to do well for seven or eight games on the trot. It's expecting too much, they need one or two games at a time."

City's Worcester League side will play Bretforton Old Boys at St George's Lane tomorrow (3pm).

FORMCAST: All square 1-1.