JOHN Barton is banking on striker Leon Kelly to bring Altrincham to their knees at St George's Lane tomorrow and in the process trigger another flurry of Nationwide North goals for the Worcester City hitman.

Kelly began the season in magnificent fashion and led the scoring charts after grabbing 10 goals in his opening 10 starts, including two strikes against Sutton Coldfield Town in the Worcestershire Senior Cup.

The 26-year-old predator, who joined from Ilkeston Town prior to the 2003/04 season, then struggled with form and fitness.

He failed to net at Ashton United and then injured his back at work, ruling him out of the defeats to Worksop and Harrogate Town.

Kelly returned to the fray in the FA Cup clash with Cambridge City but was unable to reproduce the magic until Tuesday night when an unstoppable header at Vauxhall Motors proved to be his first City goal in 43 days.

Barton was pleased with Kelly's contribution during the 2-2 draw at Rivarce Road and is hopeful it will bring fresh life into the striker's shooting boots.

He said: "Nobody needed a goal more than Leon. Since his back injury, he has had the most indifferent spell since he came to the club.

"Along with Webby (Adam Webster), he was scoring almost a goal a game earlier this season and we want him to reproduce that form.

"Unfortunately, Leon is one of those players that always gets earmarked by the opposition more than the others. Managers have admitted to me afterwards that that is the case. They target him and make his job that little bit more difficult.

"Adam Wilde and Jai Stanley are others, while I've been here, who have also been shown that extra respect from teams."

Almost a quarter of a century ago, tomorrow's fixture would have been a top-of-the-table clash between non-league heavyweights.

In the Alliance Premier Division 1979/80 campaign, Altrincham were crowned champions with Worcester seven points adrift in third position.

Both clubs are looking for a return to the Nationwide Conference but City are not in promotion form having failed to win in their last seven league matches, picking up just four points from a possible 21.

Barton is likely to field the same side that picked up a point in midweek, with Nick Colley, Pat Lyons and Carl Heeley expected to start despite requiring late fitness checks.

The Robins are sixth in the division but without a win in their previous six games.

Altrincham manager Graham Heathcote said: "This is a tough league and I can understand why Worcester are drawing a lot of games.

"Almost every team at this level is as good as each other. Sometimes we have not picked up the right result away from home but we are working on that. I don't think there is much between us and Worcester."