ELLIS Deeney doesn’t score many goals but when he does, they tend to be spectacular.

The Worcester City skipper has had a mixed week for the Blue and Whites, getting sent off in the victory over Lowestoft Town before getting his side up and running against Chorley on Saturday.

Deeney, whose three-match ban does not start until September 23, had visiting keeper Sam Ashton grasping at thin air with a delightful left-footed curling effort from outside the box on the half-hour mark at Aggborough.

It was only his third goal in 111 appearances for the club but it was another to add to a collection that also includes a 25-yarder against Vauxhall Motors in March and a long-range cross-shot in seeing off Telford United in the FA Trophy in December.

On this occasion, his goal again broke the deadlock and was just reward for City’s sumptuous passing game that had Chorley chasing shadows from start to finish.

Carl Heeley’s side were excellent and in control throughout and the only criticism would be that they didn’t beat the league leaders by more.

Ashton was by far the busier of the two keepers, also tipping Sean Geddes’ fine first-half free-kick over the bar and denying efforts from Mike Symons and top-scorer Daniel Nti after the break.

There was an element of relief when Tristan Dunkley, back after being absent for two games, came off the bench and arrived at the far post to convert fellow sub Nick Wright’s cross following a swift counter-attack three minutes from time.

But, in truth, the result was never really in doubt as Worcester dovetailed their forward dominance with a diligent defensive display for their first home clean sheet of the campaign.

This was a City performance to savour. Not only was their intricate passing pleasing on the eye, it also had an end product, which has not always been the case this term.

Time and again they cut through Chorley, with the midfield five continually on the same wavelength, and left the visitors resorting to long-ball tactics.

When moves broke down, City were quick to hustle their opponents into mistakes to win the ball back and start over again.

Newly-promoted Chorley, managed by ex-Manchester City midfielder Garry Flitcroft, were made to look average and sub Jack Lynch’s late piledriver straight at Nathan Vaughan was the best they could muster.

By the end, the jubilant Worcester faithful were mocking the Lancastrians with chants of, “Top of the league? You’re having a laugh!”.

In recording their third home win in succession and second in four days, Worcester moved to within two points of the play-offs and, on this evidence, few teams will relish playing them.