LEON Kelly has become something of a puzzle this season -- sorcerer in the FA Cup but a magician without a hat in Nationwide North.

At Accrington on Saturday, Kelly slotted his fourth cup strike of the campaign for Worcester City. From three ties, his record would suggest a happy time in front of goal. If only that was so.

Away from cup football, the former Ilkeston Town striker is failing to deliver. In eight league starts and three substitute appearances, Kelly has not made the scoresheet.

That is a major worry, especially as City are bottom of the table when it comes to hitting the back of the net.

More depressingly, Worcester supporters have come to see far less of what Kelly does best -- frightening the life out of defenders.

Sprinting at the opposition at speed, bearing down with brutal power and deceptive pace, has been the mainstay of the 27-year-old's game.

Muscle

There is no finer sight than Kelly picking up the ball and battering defences, using sheer strength to muscle through challenge after challenge.

In a shoulder-to-shoulder contest, there is only going to be one winner. And those assets have led to goals in the past.

The fact that Kelly has suffered this term has triggered many fans to question whether Kelly had been `found out' at this level.

Saturday's performance must end that particular argument. He used his attributes to full affect and Stanley were scared to death.

Kelly was in the mood, darting down channels and into space time and again, winning several corners and vital set-pieces in the final third.

It was his bursting run and shot that led to the throw-in which Kelly eventually knocked in for City's equaliser.

He richly deserved his moment in front of the travelling supporters.

In my opinion, if Kelly can torment the side currently fourth in the Nationwide Conference, he can inflict similar agony on clubs in City's own division.

If the Midlands man reproduces that week in, week out, goals should follow. He must now prove it.

"Strikers always go through patches," admits Kelly.

"But it will come for me in the league soon. I don't know when, but it will.

"I'm struggling big time for goals, but I've done really well in the FA Cup. I just need to get a couple more goals and get a bit more confidence.

"I thought my performance at Accrington was good. I worked hard and you get your rewards if you work hard. The gaffer told me to run at them and put pressure on their wing-backs."