HOW many other clubs would be able to attract the best crowds in their division - even though they hadn't won at home for six months?

That's the peculiar equation that has applied to Worcester City this season.

They are the only club in the Dr Martens League Premier Division to have attracted four-figure gates for all their home matches this season, and consequently they top the average attendance chart.

To do that when the club is not blazing a trail at the top of the table and is struggling to reproduce the goods at home is very praiseworthy.

City's first home game of the season is traditionally well-supported and Bath City were decent opponents, and a good travelling army from newly-promoted Stafford Rangers helped swell the crowd for that game.

But to top the 1,000 mark for each of their last two home games against Clevedon Town and Moor Green - neither of them particularly glamorous opponents - was very impressive, particularly in view of their lack of success at St George's Lane.

The gate of 1,033 against Moor Green was the biggest of the day in the division, and their average attendance this season is 1,142 -- well clear of nearest rivals Burton Albion (1,020) who are second in the league table.

Now they've finally got that first home win since February under their belts, thanks to Mike Wyatt's last-gasp winner against Moor Green, perhaps they can maintain that level of support.

Manager John Barton admitted: "Four gates of over 1,000 at the start of the season is fantastic.

"I was amazed at the gate on Saturday, with all due respect to Moor Green. I thought it would be round about the 800 mark.

"We haven't exactly set ourselves up to attract that sort of gate.

"They call this club a sleeping giant. We are not at that stage yet but it does confirm that if we look like striking the right chord, people will come and watch.

"In our situation, their contribution to the overall position of the club makes a welcome difference."

Barton is also pleased at the way the supporters have backed the team despite their lack of recent success at St George's Lane.

"They have been very understanding. Like anyone else they get frustrated and disappointed, but no more than we do, I can assure them.

"They are getting behind us, even if at times we haven't given them too much to shout about."

City's 'sleeping support' is legendary in non-league circles. One shouldn't forget that the city of Worcester is easily big enough to sustain a Football League club, providing someone can get hold of the club and take it forward.

You only have to look at their gates during the glory days in the late 1970s under Nobby Clark to show how many people are out there ready to support a successful side.

Even their excellent FA Umbro Trophy run brought many fans out of the woodwork last season.

If they can pick up good results in their next two away games - at Cambridge City on Saturday and Bath next Tuesday - there is no reason why they can't top the 1,000 mark again for their next home match against Salisbury City on September 23.

City's reserves are in home Central Conference action against Telford United tonight (7.45).

Telford's first team play their penultimate 'home' Nationwide Conference match at St George's Lane against Dover Athletic on Saturday.