Worthing have been told to keep getting the defensive side right – and soar into the play-offs.

The new interim management team headed by former skipper Aarran Racine are off to a winning start.

They saw a superb volley from Jack Wadham on 88 minutes clinch a 1-0 win at Chelmsford City, one of only two sides above them in Vanarama National League south.

Racine took over, with the help of Darren Budd and Dean Hammond, last week after Adam Hinshelwood took up a post in charge at York City.

The first game for the new set-up was delayed when Saturday’s trip to Dartford was called off.

But a win in Essex, over a side who were themselves victorious at Worthing recently, has put them back on the heels of second place.

Worthing are now two points behind Chelmsford with a game in hand in the race for a preferred play-off seeding behind near-certain champions Yeovil.

As well as the stunning goal, ex-defender Racine was delighted with the clean sheet.

He said: “When Dean, Buddy and I are speaking, we are saying the quality of the players is there.

“We haven’t got to do much.

“Obviously Hinsh did his work and Gaz (assistant Gary Elphick) but we have got a team full of great quality in possession.

“If we can just try and nail the other side of it, then I think it puts us in a really good position going forward.”

Wadham struck from just outside the box and Rebels survived a very late scare when a header hit their post.

Former Albion under-21s midfielder Jack Spong made his Worthing debut after his recent move from Queen’s Park.

Racine now prepares his side to face Taunton at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium on Saturday.