MIDFIELDER George Forsyth struck both goals as Worcester City held on for a hard-fought 2-0 victory at a rain-lashed Shepshed Dynamo last night.

But the Midland League Premier Division win came at a price for boss John Snape ahead of two games over the Easter weekend — at South Normanton Athletic on Saturday and at home to Westfields on Monday (both 3pm).

Keeper Matt Gwynne picked up a back injury while midfielder Mat Birley was scrubbed from the starting line-up after suffering a tight hamstring in the warm-up.

The wet, muddy conditions hampered any hopes of a footballing spectacle but Forsyth’s 32nd-minute opener lifted City’s spirits on a wretched evening — a delightful first-time volley over the keeper from 18 yards.

His second on the stroke of half-time was more run-of-the-mill — a six yard header from a corner — but it was his classy finish that earned Snape’s praise.

“The first goal was class and it changed the whole outlook of the game,” he admitted.

“It was a great ball in from (Alex) Tomkinson and Fozzy’s finish was sublime.

“From there I thought we were guilty of missing a few more chances and we defended with our lives at times, throwing ourselves in front of the ball and stopping crosses as that’s where Shepshed’s strength was — getting the ball out wide and hurting us in behind.

“We didn’t think the game was going to be on with the conditions and the pitch got heavier and heavier. We didn’t start well, we were sloppy, but grew into the game.

"We tried to play too many balls to feet rather than playing balls into the areas.

“Our midfield two and centre-halves did really well. I look at my two central defenders and laugh — (Jordan) Stoddart is there covered head to toe in mud and has had a worldy and Mark Smith hasn’t got his boots dirty but that’s the sort of player he is.”

Shepshed started the better and Gwynne did well to gather a number of crosses from out wide.

Their best effort came on 24 minutes when a right-wing cross from Liam Hurst picked out leading scorer Shay Brennan who slid the ball just the wrong side of the City target.

The visitors had offered little before taking the lead through Forsyth on 32 minutes but the goal spurred Worcester on.

Nick Turton and Benjie Robinson pressurised the home defence while Forsyth and skipper Nathan Hayward were solid in the centre of the park.

City’s second came with the final kick of the half with Forsyth heading beyond keeper Denham Hinds after being left unmarked at a corner.

That seemed to knock the fight out of a Shepshed side until the latter stages of the game when they put the Worcester defence under pressure.

Hurst should have done better when shooting wide with just substitute keeper Adam Przybek to beat before Joshua Rostron drilled an effort over from close range three minutes from time.

Moments later Niall Prenderville planted a diving header over the bar and injury-time saw the visitors survive an epic goalmouth scramble.

Snape added: “We’ve had some injury problems. Mat pulled out during the warm-up and Gwynny has had a back spasm.

"We have a few bumps and bruises and I’ll be speaking to the physio ahead of our trip to South Normanton.

“Mat was desperate to play but the problem is I’d rather lose him for one game or maybe two than to lose him for the rest of the season.

"We will need to look at that one this weekend. He really wanted to play and was a bit upset when I made the decision in the warm-up.”