MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE, PREMIER DIVISION: Rugby Town 0 Worcester City 1 (Reynolds, 53).

A WEEK on from a true stinker-of-the-season contender and Worcester City hit back in style.

There could have been no sterner examination of their resolve than a sticky pitch, in-form opponents with an eye for goal and a fair number of cynical swipes along the way.

City were bright, positive, assertive and controlled this clash against one of the Midland Football League’s strongest most powerful units.

Perhaps this will not stand out for those who cast a passing glance over the results page of next week’s programme but those who were there may consider this one of the performances of the campaign so far.

But in with the warranted praise for the response to shipping five at home to Sporting Khalsa lies the bigger question.

For the undoubted capability displayed at Butlin Road, can City regularly hit opponents with their best rather than hitting back after disappointment?

This match proved that with the bit between their teeth, John Snape’s side can conquer any opponent this league has to offer and they have always flexed their muscles when the dips have occurred.

In between that, City have not always convinced and now need to find a way to put together four, five, even six of Saturday’s performances if they are to reel in the ultra-consistent leading lights.

One aspect of that required continuity seems to have returned with Dave Reynolds firing in his third goal in as many matches.

City’s top scorer looks back in the groove and while he might have scored more in this one, still kept his cool to provide the decisive moment eight minutes into the second half.

James Baldwin had hit the deck while battling on the goal-line with Valley keeper Niall Cooper but amid the incredulity over referee Richard Cutts not pointing to the penalty spot, Reynolds calmly steered in with defenders treating.

Cooper had been the hero during a first half that saw Worcester boss proceedings, although the hosts did have their moments on the break.

George Forsyth drew the save of the day with a blistering low 30-yard drive from a half-cleared corner that Cooper had to push around the post with one hand.

Baldwin had chances, slicing wide early on, while Stuart Hendrie almost caught out City stopper Nathan Vaughan at the other end before being forced too far wide.

Reynolds cleared the crossbar when free 10 yards out and Baldwin’s daisy cutter skipper agonisingly past the far post late in the first half.

City kept attacking after the breakthrough arrived but almost presented Rugby with a leveller when Alex Tomkinson’s ill-advised pass inside ended with substitute Ben Ashby driving straight at Vaughan just past the hour.

The skirmish that saw Rugby’s Sam Beasley and Josh Ruff and Tyler Weir booked infuriated Snape and Lee Hughes, who was sidelined by injury, in the dugout but City kept their composure.

Brad Birch and substitute Mat Birley seeing 20-yard shots blocked following a half-cleared set-piece, giving Rugby a chance to push for an undeserved point late on.

But as time ticked away there was only one proper scare for City with Ruff stealing a march from the far post only to rifle over from no more than 10 yards.