WORCESTER City dropped into the relegation zone after suffering a late 1-0 defeat away at Stratford Town.
A late header from substitute Cyrus Bruce settled the game at the Arden Garages Stadium with Worcester winless in their last five league matches.
And the result means City sit 19th in the Southern League Premier Central table, two points from safety.
The Bards made a fast start as Fin Brennan and Lewis Ludford-Ison combined to test Worcester goalkeeper Harley Price.
And Owen James twice went down in the box towards the end of the first half although the referee waved away Stratford’s appeals.
James spurned a golden chance to break the deadlock after the break when well-placed in the box from Jack Storer’s cross.
However, James’ replacement Bruce won the game with his very first touch on 76 minutes.
The striker produced a precise yet emphatic header beyond Price in the Worcester goal from Henry Landers’ cross.
And City struggled to trouble the Stratford goal in the remaining minutes as Chris Cornes’ side failed to end their winless run.
Worcester are next in action against Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday, October 18 with kick-off at 3pm at Sixways Stadium.
