IT took six long months for Justin Thompson to break his Worcester City scoring hoodoo -- but it was worth the wait.

Canadian Thompson ended his jinx by powering home a diving header that secured City their most exceptional victory of the Nationwide North season.

Northwich Victoria, relegated from the Conference last term, are among the championship front-runners and shot to fame last month with an FA Cup third round crack at Sunderland.

But Worcester put their opponents' reputation to one side with a remarkable show, no doubt leaving fans who travelled to Alfreton in mid-week rubbing their eyes in disbelief.

In Derbyshire, City were sub-standard. Four days on, against full-time players chasing the title, and it was a completely different story.

Andy Preece's men were aggressive, focused and, importantly, clinical in key departments.

No wonder Worcester's away army marched out of the Victoria Stadium smiling like Cheshire cats.

Thompson beamed from ear to ear after netting the first-half winner that culminated from an intense period of City pressure.

It seemed only a matter of time before the big Mountie chalked up his first goal in Worcester colours.

Last Saturday against Lancaster, the towering centre-half was unlucky with two thumping efforts that Mark Danks and Adam Webster converted on the rebound.

Thompson presents a massive threat in the penalty box and, on this occasion, the British Columbian earned his reward.

"It was not the prettiest goal, but I'll take it," admitted the 25-year-old. "Des (Lyttle) spun off at the back post and knocked it back across goal.

"I don't know how it came to me. I just reacted first when it bounced down. I threw my body at it and luckily it went in. I've done that a few times this year and been a bit unfortunate.

"It's a great win for the guys. Everybody is excited. We always play teams hard and it was a tough battle, but everybody pulled through and contributed."

Enjoyment was shared in equal measure at the final whistle, but -- for Sam Wedgbury -- it was also a case of sheer relief.

The 16-year-old missed a second-half sitter that could find room in any 'Top 100 Football Blunders' DVD.

Had City not held on to their slender advantage, the young protg may have been hung, drawn and quartered afterwards.

Worcester thoroughly bossed third-placed Vics in a dominant first-half display, racking up five shots on target and three off, along with six corners.

Rob Warner, Danks and Thompson tested Vics goalkeeper Kris Rogers, while precious little developed at the opposite end.

It took 40 minutes for the home side to register a shot, Jonny Allan whizzing the ball past the upright, as Thompson, Lyttle and Dennis Pearce presented a concrete barrier.

City made their pressure count a minute before the break. From a 35-yard free-kick, Tom Warmer picked out Lyttle. Rogers foiled City's skipper, but Thompson steered the ball in from eight yards.

Paul Brayson was a whisker away from responding instantly, lashing a low drive inches wide on the counter-attack. Eight minutes after the break came Wedgbury's bad miss. From Peter Handyside's mistake, the teenager rounded Rogers and was gifted an empty net.

Instead of comfortably side-footing home, Wedgbury flicked with the outside of his boot to send the ball agonisingly wide.

The introduction of Michael Byrne and Mark Sale rallied Vics, although firm City dealt with most thrown their way.

Byrne blasted a 20-yard volley that skimmed the post and Allan cracked the woodwork from a similar distance.

Danks almost wrapped it up with a glorious 50-yard run, jinking past two mesmerised defenders and firing on target, only for Rogers to save to his left.

CITY: McDonnell, Warner, Khan, Pearce, Thompson, Lyttle, Wedgbury (Smith 79), Colley, Danks, Kelly (Preece 79), Warmer. Subs not used: Wood, Stanley, G Walker.

ATTENDANCE: 1,062.