welling United boss Tony Reynolds described his side's 3-1 home defeat to Worcester City on Saturday as the "worst performance" of the season.

And he urged his players to repeat the passion they showed against Reading in the FA Cup and get the team out of the bottom half of the Dr Martens Eastern Premier League table.

Reynolds said: "It was the worse performance of the season by far. Newport was bad enough but when we lost in the manner we did this time, it is disappointing.

"About 75 per cent of our personel just didn't fancy it. We still created chances but on the day we didn't perform.

"We need passion and desire each week like we had at Reading. But as soon as the players cross that white line, there's nothing me nor my assistant can do apart from changing tactics."

City took the lead in the 19th minute when Mark Shepherd's shot looked like it had been cleared off the line, but the referee's assitant ruled it had crossed.

Welling started to get back in the game in the 25th minute and Steve Barnes shot wide. Gary Abbott's back-header was then cleared off the line before they levelled in the 35th minute.

Anthony Riviere pulled the ball back into the path of the on-rushing Mike Rutherford, who bravely tucked the ball home from inside a crowded six-yard box.

Worcester had a couple of further chances before netting their second goal in first-half injury time. Mark Hone's attempted clearance hit Shepherd, who gratefully rounded the defender to beat Knight.

Riviere went close to equalising with Welling's best move of the game, but Shepherd put the game beyond reach and completed his hat-trick 11 minutes from time.

And to complete a miserable day for the Wings, keeper Glen Kinight was taken off concussed with five minutes to go and Abbott took over between the posts.

Reynolds added: "We conceded two horrible defensive goals before half-time and it's always a battle to come back from behind.

"But I would be more concerned if we weren't creating chances and not scoring goals."

Welling now have two tough games coming up away to

second-placed Tamworth and home to leaders Crawley in the next seven days.

December 19, 2001 9:50

Gordon Law