The man of the match netted twice as Town completed the double over Gloucester with three first-half goals.

This was Town's eighth successive victory in Blue Square North, extending their outstanding league record at Highbury this season to nine straight wins and 17 games unbeaten. It also protected their three-point lead at the top.

Ashley Wooliscroft made his first start since August, replacing the injured Shaun Beeley at right-back as Town reverted to their tried and trusted 4-4-2 system after the previous weekend's successful wing-back experiment at Corby.

Fellow full-back Alan Wright returned after injury on the opposite flank and Jamie Mullan was also recalled.

But it was the visitors who made the early inroads, winning a series of free-kicks in dangerous positions.

Town defended these comfortably and began to take control, with Nathan Pond forcing the first save of the match with a firm header from Anthony Barry's corner.

And the home side took the lead on 17 minutes, when the ever-alert Clancy was first to Mullan's cross and looped a header over keeper Mike Green for his tenth league goal of the season. Clancy also scored in the 2-1 victory at Gloucester in October.

Town then put the game beyond Gloucester's reach with two goals in six minutes from the confident Rogan, taking his tally to nine for Town.

The first on 31 minutes was a low drive to Green's right following good support work from Adam Warlow, the second a header from another cleverly-flighted Mullan cross.

Rogan's third brace of the campaign stretched his excellent recent run to five goals in four games and continued his prolific partnership with top scorer Warlow – at least one of them has scored in each of the last five matches.

City's Neil Mustoe received a caution just before the interval following a rash tackle on Clancy, and Gloucester went into the break distinctly second-best.

Town made an early change in the second half, captain Michael Taylor leaving the field as a precaution because of a leg injury.

Pond moved back into defence, with centre-half Steve McNulty taking the captain's armband and Jamie McGuire entering the fray.

Town continued to look comfortable, with Warlow shooting across Green's goal from Wooliscroft's pass on 51 minutes, though there were few opportunities to extend the lead from then on.

Clancy received generous applause from the 1,267 spectators as he made way for Jamie Milligan on the hour after another busy performance.

Milligan made an immediate impact, forcing Green into an excellent fingertip save as his powerful shot from distance headed for the far corner. Gloucester gained an unlikely lifeline with a 64th-minute penalty, awarded against McNulty for a foul on Lee Smith.

Keeper Craig Dootson was unable to repeat December's spot-kick heroics against Stafford Rangers as Smith confidently converted.

Dootson was then forced to make a crucial save on 70 minutes, coming out to narrow the angle as visiting captain Tom Webb beat McNulty for pace.

Gareth Seddon replaced Warlow for the final seven minutes but it was Rogan who took the honours up front this time, though Mullan ran him close for the star-man accolade.

It's as you were at the top after second-placed Southport also won by a two-goal margin, but Town now have a chance to stretch their lead as they play three times before their main title rivals are next in league action.

All three are tricky away games, however, starting at fifth-placed Eastwood tomorrow (7.45pm).

Fleetwood team: Dootson, Wooliscroft, Wright, Taylor (capt), McNulty, Pond, Clancy (Milligan), Barry, Rogan, Warlow (Seddon), Mullan; subs not used: Wilde, Cahill, McGuire.
David Mitchell

n Beeley's knee injury is not as serious as first feared and the right-back hopes to be back within four weeks.
Beeley, stretchered off at Corby, said: "I'm really pleased the scan showed the injury isn't too serious. Thanks to our supporters for their good wishes."

*FOLLOWING last Monday's high-profile friendly against Blackburn, Highbury stages another tonight as a Bury XI face a Town side.

Admission for the 7.45pm kick-off is £3 (seniors and under-17s £1), with season ticket/pass holders admitted free.