WORCESTER City might be playing for little more than pride but there are no signs of them letting up before the end of the season.

In putting four goals past already-relegated Hyde, they kept themselves firmly in the hunt for a top-10 finish in Conference North.

That would represent a significant achievement for a club without a permanent home and working on the relatively meagre resources such a situation brings.

City can take immense satisfaction should they achieve it and appear determined to make sure they do just that.

Although the first-half against Hyde smacked of an end-of-season fixture, the second period provided good entertainment.

Hyde more than played their part, with Pete Boyle’s 47th-minute strike cancelling out Mike Symons’ 23rd-minute opener, and will feel the scoreline was not a fair reflection of their efforts.

But Worcester took their chances, which is not always something they have done this season, and punished the visitors.

From 1-1, Joao Sousa brought the crowd to their feet with a scintillating left-footed drive from the edge of the box, which had keeper Ed Wilczynski beaten all ends up as it found the top corner.

Daniel Nti then took his tally for the season to 13 with a three-minute brace that put paid to any thoughts of a Hyde comeback.

As Symons did for his goal, Nti guided a header from Sean Geddes’ corner beyond Wilczynski for his first, before prodding the ball into the corner after Symons flicked on Jay Denny’s cross.

But the game, watched by City’s second lowest Saturday league attendance of the season, was not without its controversy.

At 2-1, Anthony Charles, one of four changes to the team that drew with Brackley last Tuesday, pulled down Connor Hughes, Hyde’s best player, as he burst through the middle.

Charles was not the last defender and received a yellow card but the incensed visitors’ mood was not helped when Luke Giverin smashed the resulting free kick against the bar and Boyle failed to convert the rebound.

As well as Charles, in for the injured Rob Elvins (groin), Shabir Khan made his first appearance since a six-game ban for his infamous body slam and received a rapturous reception.

Tyler Weir moved to right back in the absence of Kyle Haynes, missing because his brother was in hospital following an accident, while top scorer Geddes was restored to the line-up at the expense of Tristian Dunkley.

Michael Taylor started his first game since December’s 3-0 win at Hyde but lasted just 34 minutes before twisting his knee. Denny, dropped to the bench, replaced him.

Worcester have options at their disposal and will need them in their bid for a strong finish to the campaign.