Hereford United's impressive young defender Tony James has overhauled Stourport Swifts' Asa Charlton in the race for the Evening News' annual Ray Mercer Trophy award.

James has played 26 games for the Nationwide Conference outfit and is averaging 7.38 marks per match in our exclusive match ratings.

A string of outstanding displays has put him in the lead as the clubs go into the New Year.

Charlton has continued his rich vein of form and is a fraction behind James, averaging 7.32 after 25 games for Swifts, who are currently battling for a top six slot in the Dr Martens Western Division.

Team-mate Simon Marsh is pushing Charlton hard with 7.2 from 25 appearances.

Succeeded

Matt Baker is in second position at Hereford behind James with 6.96 from 25 games. The young 'keeper has succeeded the injured Scott Cooksey and put in a number of fine performances, particularly in the FA Cup win over Wrexham at Edgar Street.

For Worcester City it is the ever reliable Carl Heeley, winner of the trophy in 1998-99, who leads the form book, with an average of 6.75 per from 32 games.

City's captain is the only ever present in John Barton's side but he has been hard pressed by the ever youthful Phil Stant with 6.6. Stant has filled the void left by sharpshooter Mark Owen and the veteran striker has grabbed 12 goals in 23 games.

Darren Bullock and Mark Shepherd could both prove serious challengers to Heeley if they manage to get more games under their belts as will new signing Leon Jackson.

Kidderminster Harriers' exciting midfielder Dean Bennett tops the Aggborough club's charts with 6.8 from 21 matches.

Bennett has enjoyed a purple patch in front of goal which has seen him score seven goals in his last seven games and help Harriers promotion play-off hopes in the Nationwide League Division Three.

Defender Craig Hinton is second with an average of 6.57 from 21 games.

Evesham United have reigning champion Andy Smith in pole position with 6.58 from 24 games and he is narrowly ahead of Richard Clark with 6.52 from 19 games.