Worcester City slipped to their sixth league defeat of the Blue Square South season as they went down 2-1 at home to Thurrock at St George's Lane.

City manager Richard Dryden told BBC Hereford and Worcester he was disappointed by his side's performance.

"It just looked like we were there waiting to get beaten as after about the sixth minute we were bang average.

"We looked leggy and we got what we deserved today so it was very disappointing."

Thurrock arrived in fifth place in the table, so City knew they were going to be in for a tough test.

Richard Dryden gave a debut to his latest signing Matt Birley who played on the right of midfield after arriving from King's Lynn.

We got a right chasing at one stage when we had a left-winger playing so deep that it was like having two left-backs Worcester manager Richard Dryden

Thurrock took a first-half lead when Paul Olima headed home from a corner eight minutes before the break.

They doubled their lead shortly after the hour-mark when Leon McKenzie netted following Shabir Khan's headed clearance.

City gave themselves a lifeline when Craig Wilding netted from the penalty spot late on but Thurrock held off a late City flurry to secure the three points.

Dryden was especially disappointed by the manner of the goals his side had conceded.

"We've had chances especially in the second half but they have created more than us," he said.

"But both of their goals have come from set plays which is disappointing.

"We've got some lads at the back who can go and attack the ball but I think that is the fifth and sixth goals we have conceded this season that have come from set plays."

City remain in the bottom three, kept from the foot of the table by winless Lewes and Weymouth.

And Dryden is well aware that he has a lot of work to do if City are to climb the table.

"We got a right chasing at one stage when we had a left-winger playing so deep it was like having two left-backs," he added.

"We didn't squeeze on until probably the start of the second half when we got it organised again.

"The second goal was a massive killer and we didn't really have a go until probably the last 15 minutes."

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