WORCESTER City's first trip of two to Cumbria in the space of four days ended in a 1-0 defeat to Workington at Borough Park tonight.

City, whose final Blue Square North game of the season is at Barrow on Saturday, fell behind on 55 minutes and were unable to find an equaliser despite pinning the hosts in their own half for much of the second period.

Defender Dan Kirkup's header proved decisive as he rose to power the ball past keeper Chris Sanna from Craig Johnston's left-wing corner.

Richard Dryden's side huffed and puffed as the game progressed but, for all their possession and long balls forward to substitute Rory May, they failed to test home custodian Aaron Taylor.

Injuries to Matt Dinsmore and Shabir Khan, as well as Mark Danks resting his knee, saw George Clegg make his first start since an Achilles injury and Rapinder Gill named at left-back.

City made a good start, something that has been lacking from their game in recent weeks, by winning an early corner and looking full of running.

However, Workington went closest early on with Gary Rowntree smashing a free-kick into the wall and Jonny Wright then firing over from the resulting passage of play.

Worcester keeper Sanna, who showed good handling throughout, produced a superb save to deny the hosts on 21 minutes when he managed to push Wright's excellent first-time volley from 18 yards onto the bar.

City's first real effort on goal came on the half-hour when Craig Wilding stooped to head at Taylor before Troy Wood curled over the bar.

Jon Munday then side-footed over the top as the visitors enjoyed a good spell in which Gary Walker and Nick Colley also had shots blocked.

But Wilding had their best chance of the half when his volley was turned over for a corner by Taylor on 43 minutes.

Workington broke the deadlock 10 minutes after the interval. Johnston sent in a corner from the left and 6ft 5ins defender Kirkup arrived to head home, giving Sanna no chance.

Johnston fired a firm free-kick into the side netting five minutes later as Workington looked to increase their advantage.

City replaced Colley with powerhouse May on the hour but within 60 seconds the substitute's header had fallen kindly for Matthew Berkeley in the visitors' box and the St Kitts striker fired against the post.

As the game wore on, so City advanced further into Workington territory but a combination of poor passing or players failing to get on the end of crosses meant they rarely hurt Workington.

City: Sanna 7, CLARKE 8*, Gill 7, Smith 8, Munday 7, Price 7, Colley 7 (May 61), Walker 7, Wood 6, Wilding 6, Clegg 7. Subs not used: Burtoft, Brown, Smith.

Attendance: 267.