WORCESTER City manager Richard Dryden has emphasised the importance of his side getting back to winning ways at Leigh RMI.

The St George's Lane side had gone without a Blue Square North victory since beating Burscough on March 1, a run of six games that had also seen four defeats.

But Mark Danks' 21st-minute penalty ensured City climbed to 12th in the table and gave them hope of still finishing in the top 10.

"I think it's a big stepping stone for us getting a win again," boss Dryden said. "We have lost a lot of players and the lads have come in and done well. I think it was important we got another win and we've got two games left to see if we can get another one or two.

"Trying to get players to be chomping at the bit to go and play has been quite hard when there's not a lot to play for. Usually they go out and have a right go but after the performance against Blyth and the first-half performance against Redditch we needed to get a good result or a positive performance. We got that first-half and we had to dig in second-half to get the result.

"Our most creative player was probably Jamie Price and he had to go to left-back due to injuries so we lost a little bit there.

"We didn't lose our shape because we looked solid but we just lost that attacking impetus."

He added: "I think for the last few games I have emphasised that we have been defending poorly, not just the back four but the whole team, and I think we looked pretty solid today.

"I thought we played some decent stuff in the first-half, I thought we deserved a lead and maybe should have got one or two more. The second-half was a total contrast. We couldn't get the ball down and pass it and the ball wasn't really getting held up up front, it kept coming back, which was a bit of a problem. But, having said that, they had a lot of possession but never really hurt us.

"Defensively it was a good performance. Going forward it could have been better."

City's travelling legion of fans, who made up a fair proportion of the 154 gate, were in fine voice throughout and Dryden was quick to praise their part in the victory.

The manager said: "After the Blyth game when we went all the way up there and the game was over after 15 minutes, I couldn't believe the amount of fans that came up to support us.

"It's a great tribute to them and with the drum going and everything it was fantastic. If we could have put on a better performance it would have been great for them but I'm just happy to get a win."

Dryden was also pleased to see George Clegg make his return from an Achilles injury with a 25-minute appearance as a substitute.

The Manchester-based midfielder had not been expected to play again this season but handed his manager a major boost by declaring himself fit.