THE world darts championships used to take place at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet.

Every year the best marksmen on the planet used to descend on the famous venue, which is just a quick hop up the road from Thurrock FC.

But, unlike the illustrious names to have stepped up to the oche over the years, Worcester City were unable to hit the target at Ship Lane.

Richard Dryden’s side slumped to their second away defeat of the season without seriously testing keeper Joe Woolley and have now lost four of their last five matches.

Incredibly, City had no fewer than 10 corners, a series of free-kicks and the lion’s share of possession in the second-half.

Yet, they were incapable of fashioning anything to threaten the Thurrock defence that has not conceded in its last two matches.

The Essex side had, however, scored nine times in thrashing Basingstoke and Fisher and took these latest goals with ease.

Che Stadhart turned Jemiah Richards before beating Danny McDonnell for the first on 15 minutes and he coolly set-up strike partner Leon McKenzie for the second six minutes after the interval.

Thurrock might have had more but for the intervention of McDonnell on several occasions and were comfortable winners despite City’s set-piece tally.

Manager Dryden kept faith with the 4-3-3 system that proved effective at Hampton and Richmond but this time a creative spark was lacking.

Michael McGrath was handed the responsibility at the set-piece but was wayward with the majority of his deliveries and when he did find a red shirt, the finish was poor.

City’s Hampton match-winner Rob Davies was recalled to the team in place of Matt Dodd, while Richards and Gary Walker both kept their places.

Richards glanced a header off target from McGrath’s free-kick, Mar-co Adaggio had an effort deflected wide and Shabir Khan sent an ambitious volley over from 20 yards.

When Thurrock took the lead it was firmly against the run of play. Shabir lost out to Stadhart on the left flank and the Thurrock striker drove into the penalty area, cut inside Richards and had enough power on his right-footed shot to beat McDonnell, despite the Worcester keeper getting a touch.

From then until the break it was the Essex men who were on top and they could have extended their advantage by half-time.

Mark Wright’s stinging drive was blocked on the penalty spot by Craig Wilding, playing in a deeper role than usual, while Stadhart got the better of Jon Richardson but McDonnell was equal to his attempted chip close in.

The Worcester custodian was then quickly out to smother the ball away from McKenzie after the Thurrock frontman had seized on an under-strength header from Richards.

Danny Hart also let the visitors off the hook by firing wide of McDonnell’s left-hand post after City had failed to clear.

Thurrock also demonstrated the defensive qualities that have made them such a tough nut to crack in recent weeks.

Wright produced an excellent block to deny Walker before the break and Matt Paine expertly robbed Adaggio of the ball as the City striker attacked down the right.

McDonnell could do little about the hosts’ second on 51 minutes.

Stadhart’s incisive pass in the area split the City defence and left McKenzie to slide the ball into the bottom corner.

Dryden had no doubt seen enough by that point and hauled off Matt Dinsmore for Dave Bampton.

Bampton was as tenacious as ever and did manage to get on the end of a couple of McGrath’s contributions but headed over with both.

The manager’s next move was to try and break the Thurrock rearguard with Dodd’s pace, Davies making way for the former Sutton Coldfield speedster.

When that still failed to yield a meaningful opportunity, despite Dodd’s best efforts, Dryden rolled the dice for the last time and replaced skipper Wilding with Ollie Barnes and moved Richards up front.

Barnes forced Woolley to scramble a dangerous cross over the bar as the clock ticked down but City never looked like reducing their arrears.