DYLAN Hart’s scrappy goal earned Worcester City a narrow 1-0 victory away at Hinckley LRFC in their first game of the New Year.
Hart’s deflected shot on 21 minutes proved decisive at Leicester Road Stadium in City’s first outing since December 14.
And the result means Worcester sit third in the Northern Premier League Midlands table.
The visitors had the first chance of the game as Felix Miles jinked his way past two defenders only to scuff a tame shot straight into the gloves of Hinckley goalkeeper Jake Laban from the edge of the penalty area.
City came within inches of taking the lead later in the half as Felix Miles saw his driven effort from a corner cleared off the line.
However, Worcester broke the deadlock from the resulting set-piece as Miles saw his shot blocked into the path of Hart who smashed an effort into the net via the aid of a deflection.
At the other end, Hinckley’s first chance of note saw Ben Humphreys volley the ball well over the crossbar from six-yards out at a corner.
And City then had Charlie Wise to thank for keeping their lead in tact at the break as he cleared Liam Reed’s goalbound effort to safety after Haydn Whitcombe failed to gather a long ball into the box.
The visitors spurned a glorious chance to double their lead after the interval as Hart headed Adam Mace’s cross from the left over the bar from eight-yards out.
And Miles went close to sealing the points for City late on as Laban made a crucial save to keep out the midfielder’s effort from the edge of the penalty area.
Worcester are next in action against Long Eaton United on Saturday, January 25 with kick-off at 3pm at Claines Lane.
