DAVE Reynolds notched a third goal in as many matches to seal Worcester City’s hard-fought 1-0 win at Rugby Town.

City’s leading scorer kept his cool in a busy box to guide into the empty net eight minutes into the second half after James Baldwin had hit the deck while battling on the goal-line with Valley keeper Niall Cooper.

Cooper had been the hero during a first half that saw Worcester boss proceedings, although the hosts did have their moments on the break.

George Forsyth, who played at right-back in a shuffled side, drew the save of the day with a blistering low 30-yard drive from a half-cleared corner that Cooper had to push around the post with one hand.

Baldwin had chances, slicing wide early on and Stuart Hendrie, brother of ex-Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie, almost caught out City stopper Nathan Vaughan at the other end before being forced too far wide to net.

Reynolds cleared the crossbar when free 10 yards out and Baldwin’s daisy cutter skipper agonisingly past the far post late in the first half.

City kept attacking after the breakthrough arrived but almost presented Rugby with a leveller when Alex Tomkinson’s ill-advised pass inside ended with substitute Ben Ashby driving straight at Vaughan just past the hour.

Rugby’s Sam Beasley and Josh Ruff as well as City’s Tyler Weir went in the referee’s notebook following a melee that left the visiting bench incensed with 25 minutes to go.

When everything had calmed down, City kept probing with Brad Birch and substitute Mat Birley seeing 20-yard shots blocked following a half-cleared set-piece.

Ruben Wiggins-Thomas set up Ruff to see a shot charged down by Mark Smith 11 minutes from time and Rugby probably realised it would not be their day when Ruff skied an effort from 10 yards moments later.

There was little to worry about from there as City rediscovered the dogged streak that had deserted them seven days previously.

Rugby: Cooper, Woodward, Kelly, Dance, Castleton, Beasley, Hendrie, Belcher (Ashby, 58), Kolodynski (Lockley, 58), Wiggins-Thomas, Ruff. Unused subs: Wright, McGahey, Print.

City: Vaughan, Weir (Birley, 65), J Smith, Stoddart (Thomas, 71), M Smith, Hayward, Forsyth, Birch, Baldwin, Reynolds (Danks, 82), Tomkinson. Unused subs: Moran, Gwynne (g/k).

Attendance: 216.

Referee: Richard Cutts.