A TERRIFIC spectacle at St George's Lane on Friday and a 2,711 fingered salute to anyone still intent on denying City a switch to a stadium worthy of that support.

Okay it was a centenary one-off but not one Conference club attracted a bigger gate the following day while neighbours Kidderminster Harriers could only attract 2,685 against Rochdale in Natiowide League Division Three.

Friday's attendance was the biggest league gate since 1979 when 7,386 turned up to see City clinch the Southern League title against Kettering and if John Barton can maintain this success 2,000 strong gates will not be the exception.

The argument for a ground switch is a fait accompli in my book and let's for once hope the City Council can display some vision and give Worcester what it is crying out for.

Stafford's role as party poopers on Friday was perhaps inevitable given the occasion and Danny McDonnell was one who sensed Rangers were going to rip up the script.

"As I was driving to the game I had a horrible feeling something like that was going to happen," he said.

"The club did a great job putting the whole event on but it was just destined to go against us."

McDonnell's destiny seems to be to remain at City and his two year contract extension is a huge headache removed for John Barton.

The keeper has been in inspired form but in typically modest fashion singled out the back four for praise.

"They've been under a lot of pressure at various times and have been outstanding in this start to the season," he said.

"But you can't expect to do that every game for 90 minutes there are bound to be lapses and we just had a bit of bad luck."

Asa Charlton, out with an abductor muscle strain, is hoping to be fit for Saturday's FA Cup clash but Marc Burrow is due to see a specialist about his back again which is still troubling him and he has no comeback target at present.

New signing David Holmes surprised a few people, including John Barton, when he declared himself fit on Friday.

He had been only 50-50 in the car on the way to the match but it's amazing what a switch from bottom to top club can do for the healing process.

Either way on the evidence of 90 minutes it appears Barton has produced another piece of sound business.

Holmes displayed good control and awareness and restored some shape to the side.

Finally good luck to Worcester City's youth team in tomorrow's FA Youth Cup tie at Cirencester.