REISS Taylor-Randle's early penalty was enough for all three points as Worcester City ended their poor run of results with a narrow 1-0 win at Uttoxeter Town.

Taylor-Randle kept his nerve from the spot in the 15th minute after Sam Whitton was brought down by Craig Swinfield as City moved back into the Midland Football League Premier Division play-off places.

Having lost three of their last four all to teams around them in the hunt for promotion, it was imperative Worcester returned to winning ways and although it wasn't pretty, they got the result they needed.

Fortune Maphosa and Billy Shaw both picked up injuries in the 2-0 defeat at Shifnal Town last weekend so were not available to manager Tim Harris, who also kept the likes of James Douglas, Bailey Fuller and Jamie Smith on the bench.

It was a slow start to the game from both sides but the game's major incident came with quarter of an hour gone as Sam Whitton broke into the box before a clumsy challenge from Craig Swinfield brought him down.

The referee did not hesitate in awarding the spot kick and Taylor-Randle slotted it home.

In truth there were very few chances other than that in the first-half as both sides struggled to create.

Into the second-half ans George baker had a golden chance to double City's lead but he could only blaze over the bar from close range after Archie Muirhead had done well to fashion a cross to him at the back post.

It was a real battle in midfield and Curtis Smith was impressive for the visitors in that area, protecting his back four and competing for every ball.

It turned into an arm wrestle and despite a late scare Worcester held on for a much needed three points which moves them into fifth place in the league.

The are on the road again this weekend when they make the trip to 11th placed Stone Old Alleynians - 3pm KO.