FIVE star striker Andy Whittaker fired Lancaster City into the top half of the Unibond league table with a stunning performance which destroyed Droylsden.

Whittaker took just one minute to get on to the score sheet - but the real fireworks were saved for the later stages of the second half, at a time when City were pinned back by the resurgent Bloods.

The 5-1 victory sets Tony Hesketh's side up perfectly for what looks set to be the toughest week of the season so far.

Saturday sees Worksop Town come to Giant Axe.

Worksop have, like the Dolly Blues, been one of the Unibond league's best sides during the past few seasons.

Tuesday sees Lancaster make the always difficult trip to Bower Fold to face Stalybridge Celtic, with former Dolly Blues winger Colin Potts and skipper, Kenny Mayers, lining up against them in what is expected to be a tough challenge.

Saturday's action saw City holding on to the slenderest of leads after Whittaker tapped in from close range early on.

However, with an hour on the clock, Droylsden grabbed an equaliser, with Wael Nazah nodding in a Matthew Rush cross at the far post.

The initiative seemed to be with the home side until Whittaker made the breakthrough eight minutes later, after Droylsden's keeper couldn't clear a Lee Clitheroe cross.

Keeper Paul Phillips was at fault again moments later, shoving Brian Welch in the penalty area, with Whittaker maintaining his record of reliability from the penalty spot.

Whittaker was on fire at this stage and, with a hat trick already under his belt, there was nothing stopping him.

He picked up a long ball forward and, under pressure from the defence, cut inside and fired a cracking shot past Phillips, who was having a miserable afternoon, and into the net.

Whittaker's magnificent day continued with a late fifth after a slip in the heart of the Droylsden defence.

The Unibond league is a relatively tight affair so far this season and, despite being in sixth place so far, Lancaster are just three points behind second placed Droylsden.

However, Accrington Stanley have started the season like a house on fire and currently hold a six points lead after seven wins from as many games.

Lancaster face the former football league club in a midweek game on Wednesday November 13.