MANAGER Richard Dryden believes Worcester City’s victory at Havant and Waterlooville marks them out as one of the Blue Square South big hitters.

An own goal followed a superb piece of acrobatics from Marco Adaggio moved City up to seventh place in the table, just three points shy of the play-off positions.

Saturday’s success comes a fortnight after the impressive performance against AFC Wimbledon and Dryden reckons City’s rivals are beginning to take notice.

He said: “I think people might turn around and say that we are beating teams like AFC Wimbledon and Havant and Waterlooville so they must have some decent players there.

“However, if you look on the pitch it’s not just decent players it’s a decent team.

“We haven’t got any great big thugs who are just going to head the ball and kick people.

“The centre-halves and full-backs can play, all the midfield can play and that goes without saying for the front men as well.

“They all work as a team and there’s not any really flash individuals. The strikers get the glory when they score the goals but they are professional and realistic enough to know it’s not just them winning the games it’s the whole team.”

The City boss was also impressed with the way his players defended after taking a two-goal lead at Westleigh Park.

He said: “Havant had the ball in good areas for the first 10 or 15 minutes and they were getting shots in but the lads were getting their bodies in the way, which is great, and I can’t remember Danny McDonnell having a great save to make.

“That’s good because it’s not just the back-four but the 10 players in front of him who are putting their bodies in the way to stop the ball whichever way they can.

“People might say we are riding our luck, but I think it’s good defending because we’re are clearing things and keeping clean sheets.

"As the game progressed we got more and more into it and found a few weaknesses to exploit. The first goal was very fortunate, Marco's trying to claim it.

“We will take any goal as it comes away from home at a good club like this who will be up there.

“Marco’s goal was a great one.

“If we can get the ball to our forwards in and around the box they have got the ability to twist and turn and score goals and it was nice to see that second goal go in so early in the second-half.”

City’s preparation was less than ideal with motorway accidents delaying their arrival but the manager was full of praise for his team’s attitude.

He said: “It’s just one of those things. You think if we can get anything out of the game we’ve done alright but the lads have turned up and done absolutely brilliantly.”