Worcester City secured a late injury-time winner courtesy of Brandon Smalley against Needham Market at Sixways on Saturday afternoon in the Southern League Premier Central.

City started with intent from the get-go, with some promising link-up play between Connor Stanley and Harry Burns, but the forward was unable to trouble the visiting keeper.

Worcester created another half chance on the ten-minute mark when a long throw into the area was flicked into space, but Francis-Burrell couldn’t get a shot away.

The game continued to be a lacklustre affair as it headed into the twenty-fifth minute, with neither side able to get a foothold in the fixture.

City did get the first shot on target when Harry Burns’ effort from distance was deflected behind for a corner.

Sam Kane managed to keep the game goalless when a strike following a cross for the visitors was saved with his foot, as City looked to try and find a spark.

Neither side could state a claim in the first half, with the match goalless going into the break.

The first effort of the second half came via a free kick for the visitors, as Sam Kane was on hand to parry the ball away safely, keeping the match at 0-0.

With under twenty minutes remaining, chances remained a rarity for both teams, with neither side able to break the deadlock.

City did come close on the 70-minute mark when Brandon Smalley was played through on goal after a quick free kick but was stopped by the defender.

Five minutes later, City came close from a corner as Stanley received the ball, but his shot was blocked and cleared out of the danger zone.

Needham Market came close to winning it late on when Myles Cowling fired a shot from the edge of the area which narrowly went past the near post.

Josh Ezewele kept City in it late on after heading away a dangerous ball into the area.

It wasn’t over for City, though, as in the 95th minute Brandon Smalley converted Harry Burns’ cross to give Worcester a late winner, sending Sixways into pandemonium.

The referee brought the contest to a close, with City holding on for the remaining minute to secure a vital three points in the race for the play-offs.

Worcester City will be back in action on Friday 3rd April with a Good Friday away trip to Bury Town in the Southern League Premier Central.

Match Report by Harry Wilcox