WORCESTER City continued their push for a top-half finish in Skrill North with a vital 2-0 victory over Vauxhall Motors at Aggborough.

Captain Ellis Deeney fired a crisp shot beyond Zac Jones from 20 yards eight minutes before half-time to break the deadlock.

Having seen chances come and go in the second period, Daniel Nti made the points safe with his 15th goal of the season a minute from time.

The result moved Carl Heeley’s team up to 14th in the table just a point behind Stockport County, who visit Aggborough on Tuesday night.

The Blue and Whites had plenty of chances to make life more comfortable for themselves in a match they dominated for large spells, but were deserved winners.

Keeper Leigh Bedwell, on loan from Swindon, had more to do in the second-half but was mainly untroubled.

Bedwell became the seventh keeper used by City, with Callum Preston having returned to Birmingham City and Ryan Boot still injured.

Kidderminster Harriers loanee Santiago Aloi also made his debut for the hosts, who saw George Williams need treatment for a nose bleed after just 60 seconds.

But, apart from headers wide from Wayne Thomas and Aaron Brown, chances were sparse for both teams in the early exchanges.

The passing was poor from both teams at times, leading to a disjointed contest.

It took until the 25th minute to register the first effort on target, Thomas tamely heading Deeney’s free-kick into the arms of keeper Jones.

But, as the half progressed, Worcester grew stronger and began to dominate. Their better possession and pressing paid off in the 37th minute.

Deeney stole the ball in midfield after Tom Rutter got himself caught in possession and the skipper advanced before cracking a fierce left-footed drive beyond Jones.

Nti might have doubled the lead soon after but sent a right-footed effort wide.

The visitors offered little attacking threat in the first period, with Mattie Burke’s drive over the top in the closing stages their best effort.

Bedwell made his first meaningful save early in the second-half from Motors captain Tom Hannigan’s header.

Worcester, though, continued to attack and Nti drew a good block from Jones with a shot on the turn.

Then Ebby Nelson-Addy drove into the box and his shot deflected onto the bar but fell awkwardly for Aloi.

City were almost made to pay for not making the most of their dominance when Steven Tames got behind the defence and forced the on-rushing Bedwell to block.

Still Worcester kept pushing forward, often on the break, but the final ball left a lot to be desired.

But they wrapped the win up in the 89th minute when sub Ethan Moore squared for Nti to calmly slot his fifth goal in as many games.