SUPERSUB Anthony Smith declared Worcester Raiders as champions elect after landing the last-ditch lob that snatched a 2-1 victory at Old Wulfrunians.

Smith, on the bench after serving a suspension, came on with the West Midlands (Regional) League Division One clash deadlocked at 0-0.

He was fouled for the free-kick that saw Raiders finally make the breakthrough 19 minutes from time with Dean Waldron lashing into the roof of the net after Wulfs keeper Joe Morris had clawed away Adam Holliday’s inadvertent header towards his own goal.

READ MORE | As it happened - Old Wulfs 1 Raiders 2

Worcester had completely dominated the second half after enduring their fair share of wobbles in the first with Morris in inspired form to keep them at bay.

However, Raiders dropped off when the opener arrived and allowed Nathan Lodge the freedom of the back post to nudge in a low corner for Old Wulfs three minutes after falling behind.

While the visitors gradually pushed forward late on, Morris looked untroubled until a throw down the left was allowed to bounce twice and Smith sent a swerving lob from the left wing sailing over the advancing custodian and across goal to decide matters.

Defeat was harsh on the hosts who had smacked the crossbar through Danny Patrick during a first half in which they had a number of chances to move in front.

But it mattered not to Raiders who now know that victory in each of their six games before heading to title rivals Darlaston on April 13 will hand them the crown before that clash of the titans.

“This is going to be a big result for us to push on, finish the season strongly and win the league now. That is what we are aiming to do and that is what we are going to do,” said Smith.

“I think we are going to win it, with the way the dressing room is at the minute we just don’t know when we are beaten.

“There are games to play and work to do but with the way the dressing room is I would like to think we have got it.

“Winning (by) five, six and seven is great but when you go away on a Tuesday night without your full squad and dig in like that it is something else.

“It is like a bit of a virus, when you are winning games it just makes everything so much easier and we don’t want it to stop.

"We drew with Darlaston the other week and there were a few things that didn’t go our way but we still got a point which was good enough for us – they needed to win that one really.

“Everyone is absolutely buzzing at the minute, especially after that. We’re all bouncing and it is great.”

On his delicious decider, Smith purred: “I knew I was going to gamble on it, I looked over my shoulder, saw him (Morris) coming and just played it over the top of him with the outside of my foot.

“It was good, a great feeling. I have not hit a better one this season where I have caressed it like that.

“The way the pitch was suited me as well, it was quite slick so it was my kind of game.

"I was chomping at the bit to get on and hopefully that can help us to push on and see it through now.”

Raiders: Pinches, Stoddart, Carey, Waldron, Corbett, P Smith, Molloy (Belmonte, 75), Tyler, Krol, Attwood (A Smith, 62), Fowler. Unused subs: A Marsh, Norcott, Podmore.