WHEN Leeds United beat Tranmere Rovers on the opening day of the season, the Prenton Park boss Ronnie Moore described the Elland Road side's win as a "Dick Turpin job" and that is exactly how Southport boss Peter Davenport must have felt when Worcester City headed back down the M6 with three points in the bag.

But there were no black masks or horses, the St George's Lane outfit arrived at Haig Avenue on a luxury coach.

The Sandgrounders showed why they are challenging for the Blue Square North title. Skilful, graceful, superior movement and an ability to get behind the opposition's back line.

However, for whatever reason, maybe they cracked a few mirrors or walked under a few ladders before Saturday's game, Southport could not break City's resolve.

The Haig Avenue outfit rattled the crossbar twice in 30 seconds in the first-half, forced Cameron Belford into several superb saves and went agonisingly close on numerous occasions.

But in the 74th minute Jonathan Munday, on-loan from Kidderminster Harriers, made the most of a comical mix-up in the Sandgrounders defence after a Jamie Price free-kick to prod the ball home, hand City a double over Southport and in the process become the first team in the league to beat them on their own patch.

In terms of league positions and points off the play-off places, nothing has changed, but in terms of the result, the rest of Blue Square North are going to have to sit up and take notice of Richard Dryden's masked men.

The Sandgrounders must have thought this match was going to be a walk in the park as time after time they waltzed their way into the danger zone with former City defender Paul Barratt, playing left wing, giving his ex-team-mate Rapinder Gill a torrid first-half.

Southport's front two, Tony Gray and Neil Robinson, must have been at a loss to why they had so much time to rain in their shots.

Fortunately for Worcester, Belford was alert to any danger that came his way.

If reports are getting back to his parent club Bury about how this talented 19-year-old custodian is getting on then maybe when they appoint a new boss at Gigg Lane, that 24-hour call-back clause might be triggered. But until then, the Shakers loss is City's gain.

Having somehow managed to keep Southport from bagging a hatful of goals or even just one in the first-half, City's heart, commitment and resolve carried them through in the second period.

Suddenly, the Sandgrounders weren't as dangerous, City were seeing more of the ball and Gill, who must have been thanking his lucky stars that it was still 0-0 at the break, looked a more composed man.

It was the right-back who provided the ball for Worcester to get their first shot on target in the 73rd minute as he surged forward to play in Craig Wilding, who was back from suspension to replace the injured Adam Webster, but the returning striker's shot was smothered by Steven Drench.

Two minutes earlier, George Clegg had given Davenport's men notice that City were now prepared to take some chances as he lofted a free-kick from just inside the hosts' half over the head of the retreating Drench only to see it go just over.

Southport had not taken heed of City's statement of intent and they were punished with 16 minutes left on the clock.

Wales 'C' international Price floated a free-kick into the Southport area, the hosts' defence froze and Munday pounced.

Smash and grab it may have been, but Dryden's masked men are gunning for Blyth Spartans at the weekend - they have been warned!