DELIGHTED Andy Preece has thrown down the gauntlet to his Worcester City players ahead of today's massive play-off clash with Droylsden -- arguably their biggest game of the Nationwide North season (3pm).

City can reduce the gap on fourth-placed Bloods to just two points with victory at the Butcher's Arms.

It was an Easter weekend to remember for Preece's side as stri-kes from Adam Webster and Mark Danks sunk Harrogate Town 2-0 at St George's Lane, while play-off rivals Droylsden, Stalybridge and Kettering all lost.

"We've got to keep going," said player-manager Preece. "We play Droylsden now and, if we beat them, we go two points behind them with two games to play. If that happens, game on!

"Hopefully, we'll be in that position when we play Hyde at home next Saturday. Then it will ask the question of the Worcester public again to come out and support us.

"But there's a lot of work to be done before we can do that. We know how difficult a side Droylsden are."

Strikers Webster and Danks netted in either half against Harrogate to earn City their first home league win in six attempts.

On previous occasions, failing to master a poor home pitch had proved City's downfall, but not this time.

And while Worcester's front two take most of the plaudits, Preece also praised young goalkeeper Lewis Skyers for keeping out Town hot-shot Danny Holland with two terrific saves.

Preece added: "I thought we were excellent. On a difficult surface, you've just got to fight and battle for everything and we did that.

"We said we had to stop making excuses now. It's the same for both teams -- we've got to go out there and get a result.

"Harrogate are a decent side and we are a decent side. So it's whoever handles the turf and conditions better and whoever wants to win it more.

"In the end, we could have scored three, four, maybe five. Webby got us the first goal out of nothing and Danksy's was a wonder goal. Lewis made a couple of important saves -- one early on from a good turn and strike, and another when we were 2-0 up. It was a vital save for us."

Meanwhile, Webster, whose goal equalled his tally last season of 24 in all competitions, ended speculation of his future by signing an extension to his existing contract, keeping him at City to the end of the 2007/08 season.

Preece said: "I'm delighted. Webby's done well over the years for this club. He deserves the contract that he's been given."