Sutton Coldfield 0-2 Worcester City.

THIS VICTORY courtesy of a late Lee Hughes brace might not send shivers down the spines of Worcester City’s Vanarama National League North rivals.

But with two weeks to go before the start of the campaign, it was exactly what the doctor ordered for Carl Heeley’s men.

After crashing out of the Worcestershire FA Senior Cup to Redditch United in midweek, Heeley’s confidence in his players ahead of the new season appeared to hit rock bottom.

But his perspective will no doubt change after City put Sutton Coldfield to the sword thanks to two goals in the final eight minutes.

Hughes broke the deadlock with a coolly dispatched penalty before the former West Bromwich Albion striker smashed home a second in stoppage time.

Looking for a response from his squad, Heeley named a much-changed team, with only Graham Hutchison and Junior English retaining their places.

But Worcester still made a nervy start as Ryan Edmunds saw his long-distance effort loop over the returning Nick Draper before bouncing off the crossbar.

This should have been a wake-up call for City, but Draper had to be on his toes again on eight minutes when he tipped over Joe Lyng’s thunderous drive.

Heeley also selected two unnamed trialists in the starting line-up and it was the two attackers who were doing most of the promising running for the Blue and Whites in the opening stages.

One was denied from point blank range by James Wren on 22 minutes before the other, wearing number 10, had an effort deflected wide.

Despite Sutton’s early chances, City looked in control at the back, with experienced defender James Chambers returning to the side and Hutchison almost winning every aerial battle.

With Chekaine Steele also impressing in attack, Worcester were building in confidence and came close to scoring at the start of the second half.

Moments after replacing Chambers at half-time, Sean Geddes collected the ball inside the area before forcing a fine save from Wren.

City were knocking the ball around at will, but they were struggling to find the breakthrough as Wren made another smart stop.

Fortunately for Worcester, Sutton failed to make them pay as Draper was on hand to gather a number of tame efforts.

The hosts’ best chance came inside the final 15 minutes when George Washbourne poked the ball through to Edmunds who fired his shot against the inside of the post.

This proved to be a huge let off for City who then delivered a sucker punch to Edmunds and his teammates.

After substitute Joe Bates was brought down in the box, Hughes cheekily chipped his penalty down the middle as Wren dived to his right.

With a minute of injury-time remaining, the 40-year-old then sealed a morale-boosting win for City with a powerful finish from eight yards out.

Worcester City (4-2-3-1): Draper; Chambers (Geddes H/T), Morris, Hutchison, Smith (Jackman 63); English, Fitzpatrick; Trialist (Bates 80), Trialist, Steele (Perry 68); Wilson (Hughes 70).