ANDY Preece applauded his side's resilience following Saturday's friendly defeat to Walsall.

Worcester City aimed to hold Football League opposition for the second time in three days, but they went down 3-1 to Paul Merson's men off the back of a goalless draw with Carlisle United.

City grabbed an early lead at St George's Lane, with veteran striker Preece scoring his first goal since his return to the club.

But a brace from Mark Wright and a strike from Brazilian Ruban Dario Larrosa gave the Saddlers the win they deserved.

Player-manager Preece was satisfied with his team's display, especially when a change from City's usual 5-3-2 system negated the threat of the Coca-Cola League One side.

"We did really well against a decent side who knock the ball around," said Preece.

"We played really well in the first 20 minutes, there was not a lot in it. We could have had a couple of goals.

"But Walsall have a difficult system to play against and they caused a few problems in the first-half.

"We were much more organised in the second-half and they had very few opportunities. We went to a 4-3-3 and we managed to hold them and frustrate them.

"We handled things better and we managed to stay with them fitness-wise. I was pleased with the attitude of the players."

Preece failed to hit the scoresheet for Worcester last season after returning to his home-town club in February.

But his opener against the Saddlers has given the former Crystal Palace and Blackpool striker the taste for more goals when the Nationwide North campaign begins.

Preece said: "It was really nice to get a goal. That's what I'm paid to do, to score goals, and I'm looking forward to scoring a few next season.

"Adam Webster and Leon Kelly did so well last season, so it's up to the other strikers, including myself to push hard to get into the side. Like anybody else, I want to play and I want to get as many goals as I can."

Preece gave City the lead on four minutes after terrific build-up play be-tween midfielder George Clegg and Webster, who laid on a delicious cross for City's boss.

Midfielder Wright, whose father Evran played for Worcester in the 1998/99 season, turned the fixture around with goals on 28 and 32 minutes.

Walsall grabbed their third on 65 minutes when Michael Standing supplied triallist Larrosa, who guided the ball into the net.