Monday, January 17, 2000.

Two more goals from Mark Owen helped Worcester City move further away from the Dr Martens League Premier Division relegation zone last night.

Owen's double strike, which added to a spectacular early effort from Keith Knight, enabled City to beat bottom club Grantham Town 3-1.

City are now up to 16th place, their highest this season, and six points clear of danger.

Manager John Barton said: "We played very well up to 3-0 and then, defensively, we looked as if we had lost our grip of the game.

"But the result was the important thing and eased a little pocket of pressure against a fellow struggler, which is always nice.

"It was a tremendous goal from Keith Knight. Paul Carty played well but I thought Keith was our best player tonight. He has been making little positive steps to fulfilling his ability and potential in recent weeks."

Knight's goal after only two minutes was an example of the ability he has struggled to show since his summer arrival from Cheltenham. Picking up a stray clearance from Grantham keeper Mario Ziccardi, he controlled the ball and from fully 35 yards struck the ball perfectly into the top corner of the net.

In the 26th minute it was 2-0 when Kevin Willetts' overhead clearance released Owen down the left and he outpaced the defence before shooting past the advancing Ziccardi.

A third goal followed on 53 minutes when Owen, found wide on the right, cut inside before finding a gap between Ziccardi and his near post to make it 19 goals for the season.

But City, who had been dominant with their central defenders in fine form, then took their foot off the pedal and allowed Grantham into the game.

A more confident side might have made City pay but the visitors could only capitalise on one of several chances, on 63 minutes when Rick Ranshaw headed home a consolation.