Rugby Town's season opener against Worcester City saw a disappointing FA Cup defeat at the first hurdle.

In the first competitive action since the Covid-19 lockdown in March, both sides played out an intense and lively game but it was the visitors who struck the crucial blows in the second half to prevail.

Despite the six month absence, Valley's starting line-up had a familiar feel to it, with keeper Sam Lomax the only new face to feature.

The hosts had the first chance of the game when Danico Johnson put his free-kick from out wide into the side netting, but City soon found their feet, with Sean Brain twice going close for them.

Kurtis Revan then drew a decent save from one-time Town keeper Dan Jezeph after he had twisted and turned his marker, whilst at the other end Lomax tipped a well-struck effort from Aaron Birch over his crossbar.

Loyiso Recci headed Johnson's outswinging corner over the bar from a good position ahead of the interval.

Rugby started the new period well, and Charlie Evans was soon sending one high of the target from twenty yards.

However it was the visitors that took the lead on 66 minutes when Town were guilty of sloppily defending a Worcester throw-in, with Birch ultimately playing in Liam Lockett to finish through Lomax from just inside the penalty area.

Johnson's low shot drifted just wide as Town searched for an equaliser, although City could have easily increased their lead on two separate occasions when sub Marco Adaggion twice failed to finish off low balls across the face of the goal.

Lockett grabbed his own and his side's second with fifteen minutes of normal time remaining though, when he wrongfooted Lomax with his low strike after he had taken advantage of the space he had found himself in on the left hand side.

Despite their best efforts thereafter, Valley were unable to test Jezeph again - meaning ultimately the superior opponents on the night progressed through to a home tie against Walsall Wood in the next round of the competition.

Valley Line-up: Lomax; Francis, Elliott, Recci; L Thomas, Evans, Hancocks, Marsden (C Thomas), Revan; Johnson, Parker (Padmore). Subs: J Thomas, Hill. Booked: Hancocks.

Worcester line-up: Jezeph, Roberts, Kelly, Jones, Turton, Winwood, Birch, Reynolds, Brain, Smith, Lockett. Subs: Hawkins, Adaggio, Clay, Withington, Willis.