DES Lyttle turned in a top-drawer display for Worcester City last night -- reinforcing manager Andy Preece's desire to sign the experienced defender.

The 33-year-old gave a solid performance in the centre of a three-man rearguard as City kick-started their pre-season programme with an entertaining stalemate against Carlisle.

Worcester matched the newly-promoted Coca-Cola League Two side all the way, with little splitting the sides at St George's Lane.

Among the more impressive performers were debutants Chris Smith and Graham Hyde, who opened the game with the captain's armband.

But following the sudden retirement of veteran Paul Carty, most eyes were on Lyttle as he looked to fill the sweeper role.

He did not disappoint, winning tackles and providing a much-needed vocal presence before being cheered off the pitch on the hour mark.

Player-manager Preece is now more determined than ever to capture Lyttle.

"It's a matter of speaking to the chairman and seeing if we can sort something out with Des," said Preece.

"It would be nice to keep him, but we will just have to wait and see. The way he performed, it was everything I expected of him. He's a good player and he's getting fit with us at the moment."

Preece was delighted with his side's effort against his former club, as the majority of City's squad were given a 45-minute run-out, with changes made at half-time and during the second-half.

He has called for more of the same tomorrow when City host League One side Walsall (3pm), managed by former Arsenal ace Paul Merson.

City will be without wing-back Rob Warner, who has work commitments, while teenage defender Shabir Khan faces a fitness test after picking up a dead leg.

Preece said: "It was a competitive game and everybody was at it. We held our own, had some decent opportunities and it could have gone either way.

"Graham and Chris both played well on their debuts. That's why I signed them. They are both good players. If we are going to progress, we need a good unit and it showed when we made changes that it didn't make much difference.

"Walsall will be another good test for us, perhaps harder. If we go about it in the same way, then we are on the right course."

Carlisle had the better of the first-half chances, Raphael Nade missing two simple close-range efforts.

City threatened after the break, a Jai Stanley piledriver from 10 yards requiring a great one-handed save from Anthony Williams, while strikers Leon Kelly and Preece went close.