WORCESTER City joint manager Matt Gardiner admitted he was relieved to see his side end their seven-match winless run at Corby Town, describing City’s 3-0 win as “outstanding”.

Early goals from Lee Hughes and Sam Minihan put City in control on Saturday before Connor Gater sealed the win with a stunning third.

Gardiner believes the Vanarama National League North win has been on the cards after improved recent performances.

“We’re just relieved to get a win under our belts,” he said. “I think you could see the signs at Alfreton that we’re putting things together. The new players have come in and they’ve got better.

“If you look at the experience we’ve brought in and some of the finishes on Saturday, that’s won us the game and another clean sheet was more like us.

“I thought it was outstanding. We stepped on the front foot, stayed on the gas and saw it home.

“One swallow doesn’t make a summer but we’re starting to look a bit more like Worcester City.

“We passed the ball around. They kept coming and had a go but we defended resolutely.”

Gater took the headlines with a remarkable 45-yard half-volley, having spotted the keeper slightly out of position, and Gardiner said it completed an excellent afternoon for the midfielder.

The joint boss continued: “I thought Connor was outstanding.

“He’s a really good footballer, his awareness is great and he’s come back into the team and been excellent.

“If I remember Phil Green scored one like that a few years ago. It’s great awareness, a great half-volley and he’s definitely got that in his locker.”

The win lifted City out of the bottom three as they take a break from league action, starting their FA Cup campaign at Lincolnshire side Holbeach United on Saturday, and Gardiner believes things are starting to fall into place.

He added: “Things haven’t come together. We’ve had the blocks in place but not necessarily at the right time and in the right order but it’s getting more like it now.

“It’s always good to get a win, the timing’s great and we’ll have a good week to prepare for Holbeach.”