STRUGGLING Lancaster City take on Hucknall Town at Giant Axe on Saturday in the hope that they can bring an alarming run of form to an end.

Tony Hesketh's side have yet to take a league win this calendar year and have also crashed out of both the Lancashire cup and the FA Trophy.

Their recent run of results - most recently a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Blyth Spartans on Saturday - leaves City languishing in 14th place, a full 30 points behind league leaders and Lancashire rivals Accrington Stanley.

The defeat on Saturday came via a late goal against a side who have struggled to make an impression on the league this year and lie fourth from bottom.

Without inspirational goal-keeper Mark Thornley, City were under pressure early on, with Phil Brumwell's set pieces always dangerous.

Stand-in keeper Andy Speight had to be on his guard to save a Richard Foster header, while Ricky Mercer cleared a shot from the prolific Glen Robson off the line.

The closest City came was when home keeper Phil Naisbett saved well from a long range Michael Yates effort.

In the second half, however, Brumwell turned the screw and his through ball found Carl Pepper, whose well taken shot left Speight with no chance of preserving a clean sheet.

In the dying seconds, a shot from Andy Whittaker appeared to be heading goalwards but, in a moment that encapsulated City's season, Andy Martin stretched to clear off the line.

* City midfielder/striker Phil Brown has left the club to sign on for an indefinite loan spell at Bamber Bridge.