Neither side created anything threatening in the opening ten minutes, with the only effort in the final third coming from a City set piece on the seven-minute mark and possession evenly shared between the teams.

City almost broke the deadlock inside fifteen minutes when some well-worked play in the final third allowed Shay Palmer to cross into the box, where Charlie Wise headed inches over the bar.

After Wise’s effort, the hosts enjoyed most of the possession, leaving Worcester on the back foot midway through the half. Barwell looked to take the lead with a strike from distance, but City keeper Harley Price was relieved to see it go off target.

With ten minutes left in the half, City began to take control as Worcester pushed for an opener. On forty minutes, Barwell keeper Finn Osborn was at full stretch to deny Liam Lockett a deserved goal.

Both sides had decent efforts on goal, but neither could find a breakthrough, sending the game into the break goalless.

A Worcester corner five minutes into the second half almost produced the opener.

Two minutes later, City did take the lead when Liam Lockett cut inside onto his right foot and fired past the keeper.

Ten minutes on, City doubled their advantage when Shay Palmer headed home from a well-delivered corner, sending the travelling fans into raptures.

A controversial Barwell free kick was pushed away by the outstretched Harley Price to keep the score at 2-0.

As the half progressed, Barwell pushed for what would have been a consolation goal, but City continued to stand firm at the back.

Despite some late pressure, Worcester held on for a vital three points in the hunt for the play offs.

Worcester City return to action when Stourbridge visit Sixways in the Southern League Premier Central on Tuesday 18 November.

Match report by Harry Wilcox.