ASSISTANT manager Ashley Vincent hailed “by far the best performance” of his time at Worcester City after Saturday’s 3-0 triumph over Ilkeston Town.

City leapfrogged the team that topped the Midland Football League at kick-off with a calm, measured display while the Robins became ragged in the heat of battle.

“We played really well and were thoroughly professional,” said Vincent, who joined to become boss John Snape's right-hand man over the summer.

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POLL & PLAYER RATINGS | City 3 Ilkeston Town 0

REPORT: City 3 Ilkeston Town 0

AS IT HAPPENED: City 3 Ilkeston Town 0

“People think you have to pass teams off the park, we may not have moved the ball brilliantly but won 3-0 and were excellent.

“When it was time to get the ball down and play I thought we did that. They could have had a couple of goals but for Dan Jezeph who was also excellent.

“At the same time their keeper pulled off a cracking save and Mat Birley hit the bar in with some other chances – it could easily have been 6-2.

“It was a fair result, though, and their gaffer said that afterwards which was a great compliment. For me, it was a convincing 3-0.

“I am really happy with the boys and they should be just as pleased with themselves. They deserve all the credit because that was by far the best performance I have seen from them so far.”

City’s cause was helped by a controversial red card for Ilkeston defender Matt Baker eight minutes after half-time with the score at 1-0.

It was the flashpoint of an at-times tempestuous encounter with Vincent proud to see City avoid wrangles with the referee.

Vincent, who said he had not clearly seen the Baker incident, added: “A bit like last week (against Long Eaton), there were a few oohs and aahs with the referee blowing up a lot but I didn’t think it was a particularly nasty game.

“There were no instances where I thought ‘that was a bad tackle’ and while both sides protested for decisions, it went both ways.

“We are all learning, so is the referee. We have to make sure our quality is above any decisions that get made and did that.

“There were a few niggly things, nothing drastic, but they can be off-putting if you get drawn into them. We gave as good as we got while staying calm.”

In the build-up Vincent had urged City to put on a show for the absent Snape and the last word was again saved for the manager.

“It was mentioned in the dressing room that the gaffer will be back soon, hopefully on Saturday,” said Vincent.

“The message was if there was a chance to go top to make sure we left nothing at home. The aim was to be in the same position or better when the gaffer came back to the dugout and the boys did that for him.

“I think that shows what we all think of him, from top to bottom. He hasn’t been around but is still working very hard, he speaks to me every day and the boys all the time.

“That performance was for him.”