WORCESTER City secured their third National League North victory on the bounce with a dogged and determined display to see off Brackley Town 2-0.

Jordan Murphy gave the visitors the lead on 14 minutes tonight before Colby Bishop scored their second from the penalty spot late on.

But City’s defensive showing ensured the three points at St James Park and ended Brackley’s six-match unbeaten streak.

Lee Hughes was rested as manager Carl Heeley looked to get the in-form striker in prime condition for Saturday’s FA Cup clash against AFC Telford United.

Murphy and Bishop made a good start up front as they linked up before feeding Ebby Nelson-Addy, whose fierce shot was tipped over by Laurie Walker.

The midfielder also put a long-range effort wide as City took the game to their opponents.

And they opened the scoring soon after. A stunning long ball from Chekaine Steele found Murphy, who cut inside his marker and coolly beat Walker.

Keeper Ryan Boot showed a safe pair of hands when he gathered a goal-bound clearance from Town defender Luke Graham.

City looked the most confident in possession and the more threatening going forward.

On 27 minutes, Murphy almost added a second as he received a flick-on before his strike was deflected into the side-netting.

James Armson had a few decent chances for Brackley but was unable to really test Boot.

David Pitt, who came on for the injured Gareth Dean, sent a shot whistling over before the break.

Boot was alert at the start of the second period, diving to his left to stop Steve Diggin’s 20-yarder going into the bottom corner.

The Port Vale loanee then made two saves in as many minutes.

He thwarted Ellis Myles from a tight angle before diverting Pitt’s chip over the bar on 55 minutes.

City struggled to keep hold of the ball but centre-backs Graham Hutchison and Tom Sharpe kept them at bay with the latter putting his body on the line to block David Moyo’s driven effort.

But Worcester made it 2-0 in the 83rd minute when Bishop sent Walker the wrong way from the penalty spot after he was bundled to the ground.

City (4-4-2): Boot; Gallinagh, Sharpe, Hutchison, Weir; Steele, Jackman, Nelson-Addy (Olukanmi 84), Keane; Murphy (Batchelor 81), Bishop. Subs not used: Ross, Craig, Oji.

Brackley (3-5-2): L Walker; Gudger, Dean, Graham; Myles, Lowe, Bryne, A Walker, Armson; Diggin, Moyo. Subs: Dias, Ndlovu, Bowen, Pitt, Richards.

Attendance: 352.

City man of the match: Tom Sharpe.