WORCESTER City took a big step towards retaining their Vanarama National League North status with a hard-earned 1-0 win at battling Hednesford Town.

Jordan Murphy’s third-minute strike proved to be enough for City as they climbed seven points clear of the relegation zone with four games remaining.

Second-from-bottom Hednesford threatened to deny Worcester all three points in a scrappy second period but the visitors held on to move up two places to 13th.

Worcester are becoming known as quick starters after early goals against North Ferriby United, Bradford Park Avenue and Stockport County and that trait continued in Staffordshire.

With only a few minutes on the clock, Lee Hughes flicked on a long ball to Murphy, who evaded his marker before firing past Dan Crane.

Along with club captain Danny Jackman and Tom Sharpe, Murphy was returning to the starting 11 and he almost put Hughes through moments later.

Dan Nti also had a shot from distance saved by Crane as City looked to add another in the opening stages.

As the half wore on, Hednesford, who were looking to back up their 2-1 win over Tamworth on Saturday, tried to find a response but Worcester were rarely troubled.

Former City striker Danny Glover forced Nathan Vaughan into a save but it was comfortably claimed by the experienced keeper.

Connor Gater stung the hands of Crane with a 35-yard effort, while Tyler Weir, who was playing on the wing, sent a speculative volley well wide.

City won the battles in the first half as full-backs Alex Gudger and Sam Minihan did superbly to keep Hednesford’s wingers quiet.

The Pitman were not giving up, though, and they had the bit between their teeth at the start of the second period.

Half-time replacement Modou Cham hit the side-netting after Worcester failed to clear their lines before Glover fired over a 20-yard free-kick.

In stark contrast to the first 45 minutes, City looked uncertain at the back as the hosts attacked with more aggression.

Vaughan had to be alert to deny Tom Peers at the near post after the striker guided Cham’s driven cross goalwards.

Moments later, Sean Williams hit the target with a free-kick in a dangerous position but once again Vaughan was equal to it.

City had to deal with a deluge of crosses but, as unconvincing as their clearances were at times, they did enough to hang on to their slender one-goal lead.

Worcester struggled to get out of their own half but they had a great chance to extend their advantage when two substitutes combined.

With 12 minutes left, Deon Burton slotted the ball through to Alun Webb but he could not find a way past Lloyd Ransome.

The goalkeeper, who replaced the injured Crane earlier in the match, pulled off another good stop to palm away Murphy’s volley.

These were rare breaks for City as they came under increasing pressure but the away side hung on.

City (4-4-1-1): Vaughan 7; MINIHAN 8, Thomas 6, Sharpe 6, Gudger 7; Nti 6 (Webb 6, 67), Jackman 7, Gater 6, Weir 5 (Burton 6, 56); Murphy 7; Hughes 6. Subs not used: Ologu, Morris, Ross.

Hednesford (4-4-2): Crane (Ransome 28); Thomas, Bailey, Digie, Truelove (Payne 72); Williams, Royle, Ngamvoulou, Trainer (Cham 45); Peers, Glover. Subs not used: Ennis, Robinson.