WORCESTER City boss Andy Preece admits the play-offs are back in sight after his side completed back-to-back Nationwide North away wins.

City took another massive stride to easing their relegation concerns with a convincing 3-1 victory at Hinckley United on Tuesday night, which followed a 1-0 success over Gainsborough.

Despite collecting a maximum haul in four days, Worcester are still only three points better off than second-from-bottom Hednesford but, due to the league's close-fought nature, City can move within four points of fifth-placed Droylsden by winning their games in hand.

Just 13 points separate the play-offs and relegation zone. Excluding the leading four clubs, Preece admits that no side, including Worcester, are safe from relegation or out of the promotion race.

"There are probably four teams that have got away at the top," said Preece. "The rest of the league is very close. If we could win our games in hand, we could be within four or five points of the play-offs.

"That's how quickly it can change for us. Apart from the top four, the rest are in a situation where they are playing for one play-off place and avoiding going down. We are in that mix."

n Jai Stanley was due to make his comeback for City's reserves against Kettering Town last night. It was the midfielder's first outing since undergoing a third operation.