Defensive lapses from Worcester City proved their undoing again as they succumbed to a third straight league defeat at Grantham Town. 

First-half goals from Jordan Lymn and Kyle Belmonte deservedly gave the Blue and Whites the upper hand at the break after Richard Black had fired Town into an early lead.  

City then lost their way and were punished by the Gingerbreads, as firstly substitute Rodrigo Goncalves volleyed the hosts level before Elliott Keightley’s own goal ended Town’s wait for a first league win. 

It was another deflating loss for Chris Cornes’ side, whose recent run of defeats has taken the wind out of their sails after an initially promising start to the season.  

Cornes made two changes to the side which lost at home to Quorn last weekend, with Keightley replacing the suspended Charlie Wise and Taylor Townsend preferred to Zac Guinan. 

The trip to Lincolnshire marked the first meeting between the sides in 20 years and it took just 13 minutes for the hosts to get off the mark. Mason Lee did well to keep the ball in play following a corner and his cross was hooked in by Black. 

City responded strongly as they took control of possession and forced a number of corners. The pressure told on the half hour as Elliott Hartley forced his way into the box before picking out Lymn to slot past keeper Jonasz Gadomski. 

Worcester continued to dominate and their persistence reaped further rewards five minutes before the break. Town squandered possession, allowing Belmonte to stride forward and fire low past Gadomski. 

The game took another twist two minutes after the interval with half-time substitute Goncalves making an immediate impact from the bench. Ryan Ebanks’ deep cross into City box’s found Goncalves, whose first-time volley flashed past Haydn Whitcombe.  

Worse was to come for Worcester on 70 minutes when Ebanks raced down the right before driving in a cross which Keightley could only turn into his own net. 

Substitute Cameron Montieth forced a sharp save out of Gadomski as City tried to come from behind for a second time but Town were not to be denied.