PICKING up three points on the road in Nationwide North proved a problem early on for Worcester City last season.

It took Andy Preece's men until January 21 to chalk up their first win away from the Lane, sparking a run which ultimately led to nine successes on their travels.

Quite a turnaround, given that City only won 16 matches all season.

This term it has taken them just 90 minutes to register a victory on the road with the 1-0 win at Barrow on Saturday.

If that inspires City to similar success around the country then they have every chance of being in the shake-up come the end of the season.

If nothing else, it will certainly make some of the trips back from long away days much more bearable as the campaign unfolds.

Between now and next April, Worcester players, staff and fans can expect to clock up 2,621 miles on the road in Nationwide North, the sixth highest total in the league.

However, the fixture computer has been kind to them as two of the longest treks will be out the way by the start of next month.

The 394-mile round trip to Barrow has already been cleared in victorious fashion, while Workington, a further 39 miles up the Cumbrian coast, falls on September 1, albeit on a Friday night.

Having these jaunts so early in a season can only be good for City as at this time of year they are likely to meet with warm weather and good playing conditions.

One journey that may fill them with dread is the long haul to Blyth Spartans on the North East coast in late January. It's the furthest trip at 512 miles and a game which even at this early stage would lend itself to good odds for a postponement.

But that's for another day -- there are plenty of other teams City have to visit and they could do with a few more results like the one at Holker Street on Saturday.

Results are everything in football and, to a degree, it doesn't really matter how they are achieved. Systems and tactics are great but they count for nothing if the team loses.

By their own admission, City manager Preece and chairman Dave Boddy would have gladly taken a point before a ball was kicked against Barrow. That they got three was a superb result and one fans will gladly accept all season long.

The football wasn't the greatest and, once Craig Wilding had put the visitors in front with his looping header, City were prepared to sit back and soak up the pressure, leaving Troy Wood as a lone striker and letting Wilding drop back into midfield.

Worcester then waited for their chances on the break but also rode their luck with two fine saves from Danny Mc-Donnell.

It was an even better result given that City were without Adam Webster, Mark Danks and Des Lyttle and needed several fringe players to step up to the mark, perhaps providing Preece with a selection poser later down the line.

Another notable absentee on Saturday was in the dug-out. Instead of being alongside Preece, assistant boss Andy Morrison had been despatched to Nuneaton on a scouting mission.