WORCESTER City assistant manager Ashley Vincent praised his side’s commitment and work ethic after they had to show patience before securing the points against lowly Dunkirk.

On a sunny spring day at the Victoria Ground, City were guilty of spurning several excellent openings, racking up 13 shots on goal in the first half without finding the net.

After more chances came and went at the start of the second period,they eventually broke Dunkirk’s resolve through Luke English’s 68th-minute opener.

HOW THE GAME WENT

James Lemon’s late strike following a goalkeeping error made sure of the win which moved City into the top half of the table.

Vincent, who took charge of the team in manager John Snape’s pre-planned absence, explained that he had made it clear that it wasn’t all about the result — what he wanted to see was a strong performance.

“I wanted commitment, I wanted them to put their bodies on the line and I got that to a man,” he said.

“What I am proud of is their ability to take on board the situation we were in and I think 2-0 was just reward and it probably flattered them (Dunkirk).

“The performance and work ethic was great. There were some very strong, honest performances and what I’ve just said to them in there is honest performances usually get honest results.”

The win saw City claim their first league clean sheet of 2019 and they were rarely troubled by the visitors but they struggled to convert chances into goals and almost paid the price for it with Dunkirk providing an intermittent threat on the counter.

Richard Stainsby in the Dunkirk goal made some good saves but it was inaccurate finishing that was the main reason for City going in goalless at the break.

There was a huge sense of relief when skipper English netted from a Joe Bates free-kick and Stainsby went from hero to villain two minutes from time when he was tackled by Lemon who rolled the ball into the empty net.

Vincent said: “We had a good amount of chances and you wonder if it’s going to be your day.

"It should have been more comfortable but confidence plays a massive part and it affects players when you’re not winning games, scoring goals or keeping clean sheets.

“I didn’t expect to blow them away but I would say that it was a convincing win. They’ve had three chances in the game, all caused by our mistakes."

With mid-table City having nothing tangible to play for in their final two Midland League Premier Division games against Westfields and Highgate United, Vincent re-iterated that the remaining fixtures were about performances and players putting a marker down ahead of next season.

He added: “The horrible thing for me and the gaffer is that we’re not competing for something and it kind of feels like a dead rubber but it's not all about where we finish in the league, it’s about performances and the players showing they’re good enough to be here going forward.”

Mid-table City head to Hereford on Easter Monday (3pm) to play fourth-placed Westfields who were without a game at the weekend.

City: Gilder 6, ENGLISH* 8, Weir 6 (Attoumani 60, 7), Sinclair 5, McFarlane 6, Caines 6, Bates 6 (Willis 84, 6), Hall 6.5, Harrison 7 (Lockett 76, 7), Lemon 6.5, Baldwin 7. Unused subs: Andoh, Moran.

Dunkirk: Stainsby 7.5, Cameron 6, Barr-Rostron 5.5, Hickey 6, Whyman 6.5, Wilcox 7, Carroll 5 (Parkes 39, 6), Harrison 6 (Brigham 82, 6), Bosworth 6, Wakefield 6.5 (Palmer 71, 6), Bastos 7.

Attendance: 244.

Referee: Jamie Evans.