AS a postman Mark Blount is used to delivering the goods and he put his stamp on last weekend's top of the table clash at Tamworth with the opening goal.

Strangely for a man who notched nine goals for Burton Albion in their Unibond Premier Division winning season last year, it was his first of the season but it could not have come at a better time for Worcester.

"We were absolutely battered for the first 20 minutes but at half time we were still in it and I thought the second half we were a lot better," he said.

The defender is in the middle of his second loan spell at St George's Lane arriving 12 months after his first stint with the club.

The fortunes of the club have improved greatly since then and Blount has been impressed with the change in John Barton's squad and has no doubt they have what it takes to win the Dr Martens Premier Division.

"They are a strong side that stick together and there is a bit more quality than last year," he said.

"I think John has put together an exceptional team and with players still to come back from injury I think they can go all the way.

"Tamworth have got games in hand but it's better to have points than games and as long as City keep winning games there's nothing to stop them winning the league."

The prize for first place will of course be Nationwide Conference football and Blount has enjoyed the better standard of football. "There is quite a step up with a lot of the teams full time and really fit," he said.

"The quality of play is a lot better and if you make one little mistake in giving the ball away it takes 10 minutes to get it back.

"Burton have done well though to be fair we should have claimed a few more points than we've actually managed."

Burton are managed by Nigel Clough and Blount is a big fan of Old Big Head's son who looks like he could be a chip off the old block.

"Cloughie's been absolutely superb, his training sessions are really enjoyable and he always tries to end it with a laugh," said Blount. "He tends to sit with you and tell you where you are going wrong rather than ranting or raving but he can be strong and stern as well when he wants to be. When he's got more experience I'm sure he can go on to be a top manager at a bigger club."