PLAYER-ASSISTANT boss Chris Cornes believes his players’ togetherness and much-improved work ethic has been behind Worcester Raiders’ rise to the summit of West Midlands League Division One.

An impressive 4-1 victory at Allscott AFC on Saturday saw Raiders overtake Droitwich Spa and Team Dudley into top spot.

Anthony Smith got the city side off the mark with a penalty before Paul Smith pounced on a mistake from Allscott’s keeper to make it 2-0.

After Roland Krol scored his third goal in three games the hosts got one back but Aston Gunter scored Raiders’ fourth to seal an emphatic win.

Cornes said: “Considering Allscott were fifth in the table with a game in hand on us this was a good marker to see how good we are.

“It was a really good test but we beat them all over the park and came out on top.”

Raiders have not dropped points since their 5-5 draw at Bromyard Town late last month and are on a run of four successive victories.

“We had a bad weekend when we lost to Gornal Athletic and drew with Bromyard but maybe that’s what we needed,” Cornes said.

“They have reacted well as we have worked a lot harder in training and Saturday was probably our best performance of the season so far.

“The togetherness and the way we have been working has been brilliant.

“We are getting to training half-an-hour early and doing hill sprints.

“Everyone is buying into our mantra.”

Raiders take on Upton Town in the Worcestershire FA Saturday Junior Cup at Claines Lane on Saturday (3pm).

Droitwich missed the chance to usurp previous leaders Team Dudley as the two sides fought out a 1-1 draw at Stourport’s Walshes Meadow.

Haydn Morris broke the deadlock in the second half but with a minute to go the Dudley visitors scored the equaliser.

The Saltmen, who dropped a place to third, host Hanley Swan in the Worcestershire FA Saturday Junior Cup on Saturday (3pm).

Bromyard Town moved up to 10th with a 3-2 home win over Wellington Amateurs.

In the Premier Division, Malvern Town returned home from a rain-soaked Dudley Sports with a 5-0 victory.

The opener came just before half-time when the ball found its way into the net off a home defender.

Louis Loader doubled Town’s lead before Adam Sauntson, Ben Lane and Josh Hunt got on the scoresheet.

Pershore Town remain at the foot of the table after losing 6-2 at Wednesfield with Joe Bevan and Chris Watling on target.

Saturday sees Malvern entertain Tividale at the HDanywhere Community Stadium and Pershore take on AFC Bridgnorth at King George’s Way (both 3pm).