Racing Club Warwick leave Worcester City empty-handed

Goals from Liam Lockett and Zac Guinan put the hosts firmly in control before Pais reduced the deficit from the penalty spot with just under 20 minutes remaining.

However, Warwick were unable to find an equaliser as Worcester held on to claim all three points.

The hosts made the brighter start to the contest and came agonisingly close to opening the scoring in the 17th minute.

A corner delivered into the Warwick penalty area caused problems for goalkeeper Tom Allsopp, who failed to make a clean connection with his attempted punch.

The loose ball fell to a Worcester player on the edge of the box, whose powerful strike crashed against the crossbar.

The home side's early pressure eventually paid off in the 22nd minute when a well-weighted through ball released Lockett beyond the Warwick defence.

The Worcester forward made no mistake, calmly slotting beyond Allsopp to give the hosts a deserved early advantage.

Warwick responded positively and created their best opportunity of the opening half just two minutes later.

The ball fell invitingly to James Hancocks on the edge of the penalty area, and his powerful half-volley saw the keeper react well to parry the effort away.

The Racers looked to establish themselves in the contest, but clear-cut opportunities remained limited as the hosts protected their narrow advantage.

Worcester emerged strongly after the restart and continued to cause problems for the Warwick defence.

The hosts created an early second-half opportunity when the ball was poked towards goal, but Allsopp reacted well to make an important save.

The Warwick goalkeeper was called into action again in the 53rd minute when Zac Guinan broke through on goal following a moment of confusion between Allsopp and his defender.

Guinan managed to get his shot away, but Allsopp produced another excellent save to keep the deficit at just one goal.

Warwick made their first change on the hour mark, with Ethan Hill replacing Aaron Opoku as the visitors looked to inject fresh energy into their attacking play.

However, just a minute later, Worcester doubled their advantage.

A dangerous ball played across the face of the Warwick goal found Guinan, who applied the finishing touch to divert the ball into the bottom corner in the 61st minute.

With 70 minutes played, Warwick's joint management team opted for a triple substitution in an attempt to turn the contest around.

Cameron Ebbutt, Connor Taylor and Connor Keene were introduced in place of Jude Collins, Ryan Moore and James Hancocks.

The changes were followed almost immediately by a lifeline for the Racers.

In the 71st minute, Pais was brought down inside the Worcester penalty area, leaving the referee pointing to the spot.

Pais took responsibility and made no mistake, confidently slotting home to give Warwick renewed hope of mounting a comeback.

With the deficit halved and plenty of time remaining, Warwick looked to push forward in search of an equaliser, but the hosts remained organised and restricted attacking opportunities.

Despite their efforts, the closing stages gradually petered out, with neither side able to create another clear-cut opportunity.

RACERS: Allsopp, Moore (Taylor 70), Cooney (Timson 87), Walker, Barnett, Worley, Hilton, Hancocks (Keene 70), Opoku (Hill 60), Pais, Collins (Ebbutt 70).

REFEREE: Said Ouchene.

ATTENDANCE: 486.