WORCESTER City ensured there was no repeat of last season’s FA Cup wobble against Rugby Town as they swatted aside their opponents with relative ease at Aggborough.

Twelve months ago, City almost came unstuck against the Warwickshire outfit, who play two tiers lower in the pyramid, and ended up needing a replay to advance following a goalless stalemate.

But this time they got the job done at the first time of asking and can look forward to hopefully greater things in the competition.

Victory wasn’t without its frustrations as City, no doubt intent on striking a decisive early blow, had Rugby on the ropes for much of the first-half without finding a way past keeper Nick Bennion.

But, once Sean Geddes fired in the first of his two goals from outside the box four minutes into the second period, there was only going to be one outcome.

A rare goal for Jacob Rowe, a first-half replacement for Wayne Thomas after the veteran centre-half went off injured, doubled the lead and City were cruising.

Jamie Towers threw Rugby a lifeline by drilling past Geddes and George Williams, who were covering on the line after Nathan Vaughan saved from Alex Gudger.

But Geddes put an end to any revival with eight minutes left. The pint-sized attacking midfielder, a revelation since arriving from Stourbridge earlier this month, has now scored three goals from five starts.

Manager Carl Heeley will hope his exploits rub off on a few of Geddes’ fellow attackers when Conference North action returns against Boston United tomorrow.

Daniel Nti is another player on three goals but he now hasn’t hit the target in his last four matches.

Nick Wright, back in the side following the Fylde drubbing, is without a goal since the opening day.

Even though Bennion saved well from Wright and Mike Symons before the break, it is an area of Worcester’s game that still needs work despite their impressive ball retention and approach play.

That was evident again on Saturday as they pinned Rugby back in controlling the contest for long periods.

The absence of suspended skipper Ellis Deeney didn’t seem to affect them as Connor Gater, having shaken off an ankle injury, played assuredly alongside Danny Jackman in a deeper role.

Geddes curled home the opener from 20 yards to reward City for their patience and slammed in from a similar distance to make the game safe.

In between, Rowe pounced in the six-yard box to head in following a trademark long throw from Williams, who took over as skipper once Thomas had gone off.

A late injury to sub Tristan Dunkley, who was carried by stretcher to an ambulance, brought a subdued end but the result was never in doubt.