ON the eve of his 39th birthday, striker Deon Burton rolled back the years to fire Worcester City into the first round proper of the FA Cup.

The former Jamaican international netted a goal in each half as his side ran out 2-1 winners at Gateshead, only being denied a hat-trick by a brilliant save from the home side’s teenage keeper.

The striker, whose four goals this season have all come in the cup, said: “It’s always good to get goals.

"It’s disappointing not to get the hat-trick. I didn’t see it but the lads tell me the keeper’s pulled off a worldie.

“It was a case of rollling back the years and I felt really good – that could have been down to staying in a hotel overnight though and having a lie-in away from the kids.”

City were pushed all the way in the previous two rounds against Holbeach United and Solihull Moors but rarely looked in danger against their National League opponents.

Burton added: “The boys worked hard and we knew before the game that we had a chance.

“We knew there was nothing to be scared of and we were positive from day one. We did a little bit on them but this was all about us.

"We had been doing well in the last month to six weeks and we wanted to carry that on.

“It’s been tough in the cup this year and we’ve had to dig in at times but, no disrespect to Gateshead, but that was probably the easiest of the three games so far, especially with the others going to replays.

“The keeper did well for a young lad and pulled off a few good saves. It could have been five or six but we’ll take 2-1.”

And Burton, who is player-coach with the club as well as a coach with Birmingham City’s youngsters. said he has no plans to hang up the boots yet.

“As long as I’m enjoying it and banging the goals in and contributing then I won’t stop because I enjoy it so much,” he said.