WHILE Mark Danks nursed a split lip at Barrow, the colourful striker was on the end of everybody else's lips.

His superb match-winning double ensured words of praise from Worcester City manager Andy Preece.

But Bluebirds boss Phil Wilson was far from congratulatory in a post-match radio interview, going as far to describe Danks as a cheat.

He said City's number nine "dived all over the place" and criticised official John Hay for taking a lenient stance.

However, Wilson failed to point out the stoppage-time incident missed by Hay, when Barrow captain Graham Anthony elbowed Danks in the mouth, leaving the striker needing six stitches to his lip.

Danks was involved in a number of skirmishes at Holker Street, but nothing suggested he conned the officials.

He sometimes went down easily when fouled -- riling Barrow fans -- but that is par for the course among today's front-men.

One thing became clear on Saturday though. Barrow set out to agitate Danks, mindful that the 22-year-old's temperament is in question following his rash red card against Redditch.

Preece urged Danks to learn from last Monday's error -- a kick-out at Reds full-back Damion Whitcombe -- and City's boss was pleased with his response in Cumbria.

"He handled himself and then gets an elbow in the face," said Preece. "What is the lad meant to do?

"At the end of the day, Danksy is getting fouled. If he reacts to getting fouled, he's going to end up getting booked or sent off.

"If he goes down and stays down, then he lets the referee deal with it, but then gets accused of cheating.

"I would say nearly every single time he went down (at Barrow) was because he was fouled.

"There was a couple that he didn't get. There was a nasty challenge before he got elbowed. He then gets elbowed and the referee has not seen it."

Preece added: "He's got to look after himself. If he's getting fouled and people can't handle it, then he's just got to let the referee make the decisions.

"Every time the referee gave a free-kick, he wasn't diving but learning from the mistakes he made.

"He's not trying to cheat. He's just trying to make sure he doesn't get into any more trouble.

"Phil Wilson can say what he wants. At the end of the day, it's all down to opinions."

With nine Nationwide North games left --and City holding credible play-off hopes -- Danks will be sorely missed when his three-game ban starts.

The ex-Forest Green marksman regrets his hot-head moment with Whitcombe, but reckons his forthcoming suspension, beginning at Hednesford Town on March 25, gives him time to heal an ankle injury.

Danks revealed: "Of course I regret it. We would have won and it would have put us in a better position otherwise.

"Everybody said I threw a punch, but I didn't. I kicked out and that was about it.

"The lad it happened with is actually a good mate of mine as well. I just felt he smashed into me and we got tangled. He legged me up, to be fair, and that's why I kicked out. It was a natural reaction, but there is no excuse for it. It cost us two points and I still feel bad.

"Hopefully, I've made up for it with two goals. I'm out of three games, but it's going to give my ankle two good weeks to get it right. I think it could perhaps be a blessing in disguise."