Darlaston's good form continues, as they leap frogged their opponents into 4th spot in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division, following their 2-0 win against high riding Worcester City.

Manager Dean Gill was forced into one change from the side that beat Loughborough Students 3-0 at the weekend. James Rowland was ill, Rivel Mardenborough returning to the starting line up.

The early stages were a cagey affair, the first chance of the game for the home side on 7 minutes. Aaron Bishop was fouled, five yards outside the penalty area. Lewis Gill's curling free kick headed goalwards by Ben Podmore. His powerful header had goal written all over it until a superb headed clearance by full back Owens averted the danger.

The opening goal arrived two minutes later. Jake Pearson's right wing run, saw him beat his defender on the touchline, his cross only partially cleared, into the path of Lewis Gill. His 25 yard left footed strike, hitting the inside of Whitcombe's right hand post, the ball rebounding across the goal, where Gill was first to react with a glorious right footed angled shot high into the net.

The game settled, Taylor Townsend and Elliott Hartley with electric pace down both flanks for the visitors, whilst the midfield became an intriguing battle. Pearson, Ryan Winwood and Gill impressing for the home side, whilst Hayden Reeves, Jordan Lymm and Kyle Belmonte were equally impressive for the visitors, neither side giving an inch.

Following a slip just inside the box by Monteith. Tyler Bruck found himself in space his 15 yard shot fingertipped to safety by an excellent Whitcombe save.

Darlaston doubled their lead on 23 minutes. Mardenborough out muscled a defender on the left hand touch line before pulling back a cross into the path of the unmarked Aaron Bishop, the striker side stepping his opponent, before a superb, composed finish, chipping the advancing keeper from 8 yards.

Darlaston's biggest League gate of the season, bolstered by a strong travelling contingent, were being treated to an intriguing and at times enthralling game of good quality football, both sets of players giving their all for the cause.

A City corner was not cleared properly, full back Owens sending in a superb powerful 25 yard drive, forcing home keeper James Storer into an excellent parried save low to his right.

On 37 minutes an audacious and sublime piece of skill from Belmonte caused flutters in the home crowd and defence. Spotting keeper Storer off his line, the midfielder sent in a 51 yard shot which missed the target by a yard or so, the keeper well beaten had it been on target.

Darlaston were dealt a massive blow on 42 minutes when Aaron Bishop was sent off for his second caution. The home side having to play the remaining four minutes with ten men.

The home side entered the half time break, worthy of their advantage, but having to re-group following the loss of Bishop.

From the restart, Worcester showed their intentions, Hartley swivelling in the box sending his 8 yard shot, on the turn, inches wide.

Worcester, with the man advantage, had more possession, than in the first half but could not convert their possession into any clear cut chances. Podmore and Alex Foreshaw were colossus at the heart of the home defence, whilst full backs, Harry Chesterton and Joel Shambrook, were nullifying the pace and quality of Townsend and Hartley whilst at the same time posing a strong threat going forward.

Clear chances were few and far between for both sides, the best chance falling to Dylan Hart on 69 minutes. Belmonte's superb 35 yard pass caught the home defence flat footed, Hart slipped in behind Foreshaw, his attempted 15 yard lob, plucked from the air by Storer.

The pace and quality of Darlaston substitute Jack Downing was causing City problems down the left flank, the winger coming close to putting the game beyond City's grasp on 73 minutes. Downing cutting inside to send in a low rasping angled drive, which came off the legs of keeper Whitcombe. The resulting corner coming to nothing.

The last 15 minutes, saw the home side have the better of the chances. Substitutes Downing and Sam Smith both having half chances.

Somehow the referee found 8 minutes of added time. Worcester had probably their best chances in added time a Mace header from a corner going inches wide and as the game drew to a close, City had the ball in the net but were denied by an offside flag.

A tremendous, hard fought game, played in an excellent spirit, quality and work rate in abundance from both sides, and a credit to both clubs and the league.

Following the game boss Dean Gill reflected "Every game in this Division is hard fought with some excellent players and quality football played. Tonight was no different. Worcester are a very good, well coached team with some top players. The level of competition seems to get harder and harder each game.

That said, my lads keep digging deeper and deeper, our work rate, quality and team spirit was excellent tonight. When we were down to ten men, we just took the loss of Bish in our stride. Poddy and Alex were majestic at the heart of the defence and keeper Jimmy just gets better and better with every game. I am loving this league and even as an opposition manager I can admire good quality football and top players from the opposition as well. That was the case tonight.

That said every single one of my players was excellent tonight. Their performance levels and work rate were exceptional. I always want more so do not give many players a ten out of ten tonight they were all at least a 9 out of 10. I do not perhaps recognise my management team and physio as much as I should but tonight, they deserve my praise and thanks, they were all spot on and gave me tremendous support."