MIDFIELDER Connor Gater admits “nerveless” strikers Deon Burton and Lee Hughes have been key to keeping Worcester City’s players upbeat.

A run of seven matches without a win heaped pressure on Worcester, who had slumped just two points above the relegation area in Vanarama National League North.

But Gater said Burton and Hughes never looked flustered as they played an influential role in City’s 3-1 victory over Bradford Park Avenue on Tuesday night.

Hughes netted the opener before the former Premier League frontmen combined for City’s third as Burton lofted the ball in behind Avenue’s defence for his fellow 39-year-old to score with a delightful lob over Ryan Jones.

“They are never shy or show any nerves,” Gater said.

“They are confident going into every game, so they push all the younger lads and are just great characters to have around.

“They score lots of goals and can get you out of trouble, which is great.”

Gater said he was delighted to finally taste victory as it also helped City move five points clear of the drop zone in the league table.

But he insisted it was important they produced the goods again today when they host mid-table Stockport County (3pm).

“We have got to carry this forward and use the momentum to push on,” he said.

“The fact we have gone up four places shows how tight it is down there.

“Sometimes, you can be a bit naive when you have got games in hand but you have still got to get points on the board.

“I think we should be in a better position than we are but there is no need to look back now.”

City will end their three-year stay at Aggborough at the end of the season when they move to the Victoria Ground with Bromsgrove Sporting.

And Gater said he was keen to put on a show in their final two games at Kidderminster Harriers’ ground against Stockport and AFC Fylde.

“We have got to use this pitch wisely as we play well on here,” he said.

“This time last year there wasn’t any grass on it, so the groundsman has done a good job and it is much better for us as we like to move the ball around.

“Most the teams in this league play the long-ball game but we like to mix it up and we showed that against Bradford.”