CAPTAIN Aaron Roberts led from the front on Saturday afternoon as his two goals helped 10-man Worcester City to a brilliant 2-0 win at Boldmere St Michaels.

Injuries meant that Roberts was tasked with pulling on the number nine shirt for the afternoon and he did so with some success as a goal in each half secured victory for City.

Dimitri Dunkley was sent-off after Roberts’ opener in the first-half for an off the ball incident but it did not dampen the mood as a further strike just after the hour mark completed the win.

The Mikes were top of the Midland Football League only last week and were unbeaten at home this season before Worcester arrived and took home all three points to move into fourth in the league standings.

Worcester began as they meant go on as Roberts got his first of the afternoon in the 25th minute.

Billy Shaw took on Pedro Lima before the Boldmere defender dallied on the ball, allowing the Worcester playmaker to cross into the box, where Roberts eventually bundled the ball over the line.

The away side were in control but the game threatened to turn in the home side's favour when Dunkley saw red.

With the ball out of play, James Bowen went down holding his face and after a discussion with the linesman, referee James Henderson gave the City man his marching orders.

Despite being a man up, the incident seemed to galvanise the away side.

The second-half was a fiery affair with challenges flying in but Worcester kept their cool and with half an hour to go, Roberts found the net to double the lead.

Shaw was again involved, picking up the ball on the counter attack in the Boldmere half before feeding Roberts on the edge of the box and the captain slammed home on the half volley into the bottom corner.

Boldmere's best chance came after an encouraging spell in the game. Bowen lofted the ball goal bound into the path of City keeper Adam Harrison who appeared to have been fouled.

There was no whistle and the ball fell to Alex McSkeane whose header then hit the bar before City cleared.

City were keeping the hosts at bay otherwise and they even had chances to go further ahead; Fortune Maphosa heading just wide from a corner before Shaw also glanced one off target.

In the end, Tim Harris' men cruised to a fully deserved win to banish the frustrations of last weekend's 2-1 home defeat to Tividale.

Focus now turns to the FA Vase competition this Saturday, when Worcester host Lutterworth Town (3pm kick-off).