ILLNESSES, injuries and ill-discipline had threatened to put a dampener on Worcester City’s festive celebrations.

But their resilience at the back and quality in attack came to the fore against Gainsborough Trinity as they brought some welcome Christmas cheer to Aggborough.

Lee Hughes got his side off the mark in the 38th minute with an expertly-taken header following Daniel Nti’s pin-point cross before a fine finish from Ebby Nelson-Addy wrapped up the three valuable points.

City climbed five places to 14th in the Vanarama National League North table.

But it was the performance of Worcester’s make-shift back four which was the foundation for the success over a side who had won their last three league games.

With no Tyler Weir due to suspension, Worcester suffered two more setbacks when centre-halves Wayne Thomas and Alex Gudger picked up knocks in midweek.

There were further doubts Tom Sharpe, who also featured in City’s goalless draw against Southport, would feature, leaving Carl Heeley and Matt Gardiner with an almighty headache.

But, fortunately for the duo, Sharpe bravely took to the field and, with the returning Keiran Morris alongside him, they managed to do enough to keep Gainsborough at bay.

In truth, Worcester’s defence and goalkeeper Ethan Ross, who kept his place ahead of Nathan Vaughan, had little to do.

Chances were at a premium in a woeful opening period, so when Hughes headed over Nelson-Addy’s free-kick City thought they had spurned their best opportunity.

But that all was forgotten seven minutes before the break when the Blue and Whites launched a counter-attack.

After receiving Sam Minihan’s pass, Nti sprinted down the right and sent in a wonderful delivery for Hughes to guide the ball home.

As well as giving the home side the lead, the goal also injected some life into the match as Trinity started the second half on the front foot.

But, apart from denying Nathan Jarman from close range after the striker carved out some space, Ross remained untroubled.

Worcester’s tactic to catch the opposition on the break appeared to be working as Nti and Tristan Dunkley used their pace to great effect.

Dunkley should have done better when he was fed the ball into space after City created a two-on-one situation.

But it soon became clear the winger’s efforts to track back had taken its toll and he had to be replaced by Dean Waldron.

Worcester’s decision to put Nelson-Abby in defensive midfield also paid off but, as soon as the pacey Hartlepool United loanee was unleashed in attack, he showed what they were missing.

With two minutes remaining, Nelson-Abby sealed victory when he picked up Deon Burton’s lay-off on the edge of the area and fired low past Jan Budzt.