Valley's journey in this year's FA Cup ended at Aggborough, where despite a determined second half fight-back, their Conference North opponents showed their superiority to eventually come out on top.

City had struck twice in the opening eighteen minutes of the second half after a goalless first period, but then Jamie Towers gave the travelling supporters hope, before Sean Geddes tied things up with his second of the game towards the end.

Manager Dave Stringer was able to field a strong side with only Justin Marsden unavailable, and there was also a welcome return to the fold on the bench for Robbie Banks - after an eighteen months absence due to a broken leg.

In a thoroughly entertaining game, it was as expected the home side who threatened first when the impressive Daniel Nti - who was dangerous all game - had a chance in the fourth minute, but his tame shot was comfortably saved by Nick Bennion.

Worcester seemed to have all the early possession, with both Geddes and George Williams putting efforts agonisingly wide.

Rugby had their first opportunity in the thirteenth minute, when David Kolodynski had a goalbound shot saved from Sam Youngs’ pass, with the visitors’ only other real chance of the half seeing Seb Lake-Gaskin send one off-target.

Worcester generally continued to dominate the opening forty five minutes though, and Bennion produced a fingertip save to deny Mike Symons, and then was alert just seconds later when Symons conjured up another shot.

Rugby were pleased that they went into half time level, but the second half was only three minutes old when Geddes broke the deadlock to put the home side ahead, when he curled his right foot strike past Bennion after Valley’s defence failed to clear their lines.

On the hour mark, Lake-Gaskin had a great chance to equalise, but his header from a Towers’ cross went wide.

In the 63rd minute substitute Jacob Rowe doubled the lead when he found space in the area to powerfully head home a George Williams’ long throw.

Despite going further behind, Town never gave up with both Richard Blythe and Kyle Bishop going close, before they got back into the match when Towers bundled the ball over the line amidst a scramble from Alex Gudger’s initial effort.

Rugby fans were hoping for a leveller, but they saw their hopes dashed when Geddes produced a superb shot from about twenty yards out to score and settle the tie in the home side’s favour.

Valley line-up: Bennion; Austin, Kelly, Rowley, Gudger; Youngs, Blythe (Bishop), Grocott; Towers (Jepson), Lake-Gaskin; Kolodynski. Subs not used: Simpson, George, Banks. Booked: None.

Worcester line-up: Vaughan, Williams, Weir, Hutchison, Thomas, Jackman, Nti, Gater, Symons, Geddes, Wright. Subs: Rowe, McDermott, Leslie, Dunkley, Taylor, Gudger, Veiga.