OPTIMISTIC Andy Preece is refusing to panic over Worcester City's worrying league position.

City slumped into Nationwide North's relegation zone following Monday night's 1-0 defeat to Nuneaton Borough at St George's Lane.

It was their eighth successive league game without a victory, despite enjoying the lion's share of possession against promotion-chasers Boro and forging many clear-cut chances.

But hitting the target is a major concern for City, having failed to register a league goal in almost six hours.

The club's sole strike in the last five outings came when Adam Webster netted at Moor Green.

Goal-hungry Barrow and Stalybridge Celtic are next in line after Saturday's FA Cup fourth qualifying round clash at Accrington Stanley, promising more rough rides for Worcester as they aim to escape from the drop-zone.

But Preece is not overly concerned with Worcester's lowly status, given the stirring display of his side in the losses to Nuneaton and leaders Northwich Victoria.

"I can't worry about the league position," said Preece.

"Not after the way we played against Nuneaton and Northwich. Our performances in those two games have been superb.

"I've been in dressing rooms where you look around and think 'We are a poor team and we are going to struggle here'. But we are not a poor team.

"Obviously, the worry we've got is that we are not picking up any points. But it will turn for us if we keep playing like we are."

City's player-manager also declined to accept that all hope of mounting a promotion challenge is out of the window.

He added: "We were fifth from bottom when I came here with two months of the season to go. We almost made the play-offs then.

"There is a long way to go, so we have got to keep going and keep believing. We just need to put our chances away."