VETERAN striker Lee Hughes was again in the headlines as he helped steer Worcester City to a 2-0 victory in front of a passionate FC United crowd.

The 39-year-old showed great class in firing his side into a half-time lead only to go from hero to zero just before the break, when he was sent off for his part in a scuffle involving United midfield - er Dean Stott that saw him grab his opponent around the throat.

Tristian Dunkley wrapped the points up a minute before time but joint manager Matt Gardiner said it was disappointing to have to play more than half the game with 10 men.

He said: “It was red mist initially and then he’s [Hughes] changed his mind and tried to shake his hand, but the referee has made his decision so we have to move on.

“It was disappointing to go down to 10 men but I thought the lads were outstanding how they kept going. We talked about a strategy for the second half but you have to give the lads credit how they stuck to their guns in front of a noisy crowd.

“They have given it a real go and we’ve just hit them on the break with the pace we have. Deon [Burton] has set it up and Tristian has finished well.”

Chances were at a premium early on and Hughes’ opener came out of the blue – a brilliant finish out of context with the opening period.

Gardiner added: “The atmosphere was great and we knew it was always going to be tough and they had a real go at us in the first half.

“But we showed just how clinical we can be and with anything in or around that 18-yard box we have firepow - er and that gives everyone confidence that we always have a chance of nicking a goal.

“Lee Hughes knows exactly what he’s doing for the goal.

He makes that little move and knows exactly where the keeper is. He doesn’t even look. He knows that if he takes it early, the goalkeeper’s not set. How many times has he done that in his career?

“If you look at the back five including the keeper then it is nice to name the same players which is something we’ve not been able to do for various reasons. But we also have a good squad and if you look at the bench we had some real quality there as well.”

Goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan, who was celebrating his birthday, said: “It has been a bit up and down for the whole of the defence, myself included, with the team changing for various reasons. But we are on a good run now and hopefully we can keep building.

“We were all fresh at the beginning of the season but we’re beginning to learn each other’s games now.

Hopefully we can push on now and climb up the league a little. We also have a big game on Saturday in the FA Cup so hopefully we can do well in that as well.”

But while most of his team - mates headed into Manchester for an overnight stay, Vaughan was heading back home to continue the birthday celebrations with his family.

“We’ve been given the weekend off, so we’re going to the coast."