ANDY Preece must be sick of the sight of Droylsden.

The Bloods carried on where they left off after the two teams’ first meeting, plundering another five goals – that’s ten across both matches – to re-ignite their play-offs push.

For Vics, it was a cruel reality check.

They remain one of the Blue Square North’s best teams, but Dave Pace’s men are one of a cluster of two or three others that are a cut above the rest.

And how they proved it.

In Shaun Whalley they have a match-winner who, despite being given too much room – and respect – by the hosts’ defence in the first half hour, was simply unstoppable.

The former Witton Albion wing man teed up Neil Prince for the game’s opening goal on 13 minutes, a low drive that sneaked under James Spencer’s dive.

Prince returned the favour for Whalley on the quarter hour, sending the attacker into a space behind Vics’ stretched backline from which he scooped in a stylish second goal.

Michael Byrom’s slapstick miss inside the first five minutes when he headed over from almost on the goalline, was suddenly forgotten.

Preece reshaped his defence in a bid to plug the gaps behind wing backs Mike Aspin and Junior Brown from which Whalley instigated Droylsden’s most dangerous movements.

But there was no momentum shift until the half time introduction of Mark Danks and Jamie Vermiglio.

Those two combined to put the outcome in doubt for the first time, Vics’ top scorer blasting a volley past Craig Mawson within three minutes of the restart after Vermiglio had bulldozed a path to goal.

Buoyed, the home team quickly assumed the same dominance Droyslden had enjoyed in the first half only for two key calls by referee Simon Bennett dashed their hopes.

First he denied Jimmy Spencer a penalty following Byrom’s rash challenge and, while the teenager’s tumble was exaggerated, he was clearly tripped.

Next he allowed play to continue after Tony Gray and Mat Bailey came together – the latter insisting he was fouled – allowing Whalley to race clear onto the loose ball.

His shooting stride was cut short by Ryan Clarke’s sliding challenge, punishment for which was a red card as Bennett decided his tackle was illegal.

Gray’s resulting free kick thudded against the post before squirming over the line off James Spencer’s back.

Game over.

Droylsden, happy to attack in numbers to mask their own defensive fragility, were not done though.

Gray scored from the penalty spot – his first goal since October – after he was tripped by Simon Grand before substitute Kevin Leadbetter angled a cute finish across Spencer after picking Junior Brown’s pocket close to the touchline.

At the other end Jimmy Spencer’s smart dribble took out enough defenders to allow Bailey to drill in a consolation, but by then Vics’ perfect start to 2010 had long been blemished.

Star Man Jimmy Spencer. The on-loan teenager continues to impress and he was a constant menace to the visitors’ defence. His strength when in possession of the ball, which buys him time to bring in a teammate on the run, is advanced for such a young player. Given next to nothing in terms of opportunities to shoot at goal, but should have had a spot kick when he was tripped by Michael Byrom.

Vics James Spencer (GK), Aspin (Vermiglio 46), Bailey, Clarke, Grand, Junior Brown, Riley, Herring (Danks 46), D’Laryea, Jimmy Spencer, Dutton (Kerr 71)
Subs not used Connor, Newby
Goal Danks 48, Bailey 90 (+3)
Booked Clarke (foul), Junior Brown (dissent)
Red card Clarke (professional foul)

Droylsden Mawson (GK), Vaughan, Byrom, Halford, Brownhill, Whalley (Leadbetter 73), Sorvel (Field 77), Beck, Prince (Roche 70), Gray, Paul Brown
Subs not used Cryan, Meechan
Goal Prince 13, Whalley 15, James Spencer 69 (own goal), Gray 80 (penalty), Leadbetter 87
Booked Brownhill, Sorvel, Halford (all fouls)

Referee Simon Bennett (Staffordshire)
Attendance 385