OKAY, it may not be total football - but Lancaster City are developing a fan club with their ability to grind out results.

Southport boss Liam Watson certainly is not a fan - but Kettering chief Kevin Wilson is a grudging admirer.

While a bitter Watson poured scorn on City after Southport failed to score against them, the ex-Chelsea star admitted it is an effective way to play and told his players as much afterwards.

When the teacups had come to a standstill and the dressing room door had been put back on its hinges after City's fully deserved 1-0 win, Kettering's fuming chief said: "Full marks to Lancaster. They work hard as a team - and they proved that my team are not good enough."

City have an amazing record against the so-called better sides in a tough league and controlled the match from the start.

Skipper Gary Bauress was magnificent in midfield in his first start since New Year's Day as City could have seen a more convincing margin.

While some people would prefer to see City play a more expansive game, Phil Wilson knows it is far more important to chalk up the wins.

And apart from a scare 73 seconds into the game when Jamie Speare saved well from Mark Danks, the Dolly Blues coasted.

Stevie Hollis was booked for a crunching challenge on Ollie Burgess, while Bauress won every ball in midfield to stifle Kettering.

In fact, the skipper was only about six inches away from a stunning goal as his 35-yard rocket just missed the target.

But they didn't have to wait long to turn up the heat after the break as Hollis surged to the by-line and swung over a delicious cross that begged to be headed home. Steve Jones was on hand to do just that in style.

That goal left Kettering reeling and on 69 minutes it could have been 2-0 when Neil Prince whipped a ball across the box but three Lancaster players failed to make contact.

And it certainly should have been wrapped up 10 minutes from time when Peter Thomson danced away from a marker on the left touchline and found Jones whose first-time ball to Prince was perfect.

Prince didn't do much wrong with his left-foot shot - but former Grimsby keeper Croud-son went to his left to save.

Joe McMahon could then have added another goal to his collection of set-piece efforts when he headed straight at Croudson from a Prince free-kick.

Kettering crawled into their dressing room at the final whistle - and after boss Wilson had finished with them they went back out for an impromptu training session.

He ripped into every single one of them - but then admitted he liked the way Lancaster played.

CITY: Speare, Clark, McMahon, Sparrow, Scott, Hollis, Uberschar, Bauress, Prince, Thomson, Jones. Subs (Not used): Yeomans, Sullivan, Black, Moogan, Elderton.