WORCESTER City slipped to a frustrating 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Bedworth United.
City took an early lead courtesy of Liam Lockett’s strike only for Liam Murphy to draw the visitors level at Claines Lane.
The result means Worcester sit fourth in the Northern Premier League Midlands table, six points clear of the chasing pack in the race for a play-off place.
Bedworth went close early on as Stanley Asomugha curled a shot inches past the post from just inside the penalty area.
City responded with a chance at the other end when Adam Mace delivered an early cross from the right with Liam O’Brien equal to Sopuruchukwu Obieri’s header.
And Worcester broke the deadlock on seven minutes when Felix Miles showed excellent footwork in the box and fired a low shot towards goal which O’Brien could only turn into the path of Lockett who finished into an empty net from close range.
Bedworth looked to draw level as the visitors flicked on a long throw from the right and Ethan Patterson volleyed the ball over the crossbar from eight-yards out.
City went close to a second goal when Obieri received the ball with his back to goal before turning and firing a shot towards goal from 20-yards out which O’Brien parried to safety.
And the home side tried their luck again as Obieri cut in from the right and curled a shot wide of the post from distance.
Worcester remained on top as Nathan Hayward sent a cross to the back post from the right and Lockett looped a header onto the roof of the net.
And Lockett spurned another glorious chance to double his tally for the game as O’Brien made a crucial save with his foot to deny the winger from close range.
The home side picked up where they left off after the break as Kyle Belmonte lashed a shot over the crossbar after Bedworth failed to deal with a cross from the right.
However, Bedworth equalised against the run of play on 74 minutes when Murphy flicked Luke Rowe’s free-kick from the right into the bottom right corner.
Worcester looked to respond immediately as Ryan Shaw pulled substitute Zac Guinan to the ground as the striker looked to burst into the penalty area only for the referee to show the midfielder a yellow card.
Miles curled the resulting free-kick over the crossbar from 20-yards out before Guinan fired a shot against the base of the post moments later.
And City hit the post again in their search for a winner as Mace saw his shot from 25-yards out come off the base of the upright.
Worcester are next in action against AFC Rushden and Diamonds on Saturday, April 5 with kick-off at 3pm at Hayden Road.
