ANDY Preece has "no fears" as Worcester City attempt to register their first league points against Hinckley United tonight (7.45pm).

City crumbled to a 2-1 defeat at Kettering Town in the opening Nationwide North fixture on Saturday, with former striker Christian Moore overcoming the boo-boys to strike two killer blows.

Careless defending allowed Moore, who was sold to the Poppies last month, to stoop in with a brace of close range headers at rain-lashed Rockingham Road.

Barry Woolley pounced late on for Worcester, just as he did in last season's corresponding fixture, but it was little consolation.

Player-manager Preece refused to be downcast after defeat and believes his side outshone one of the league's championship favourites.

Concentration

But he conceded that City failed to trouble Poppies goalkeeper Mark Osborn and blamed a lack of concentration for Moore's double.

Hinckley, captained by former Worcester favourite Carl Heeley, are next in line at St George's Lane and Preece remains optimistic that City can hit straight back.

"It's a good thing to have another game so quickly, " said Preece. "I'm looking forward to Hinckley after the way we played against Kettering. I have no fears.

"As long as we keep our concentration and do our jobs, I don't think we've got too many worries.

"It was a tough assignment against Kettering, but I think if you look at the balance of play, we had more shots and corners.

"It's just a matter of concentration and discipline. That is what cost us a little bit.

"In general play, I have no worries. They hardly caused us a problem and there was nothing in the game. They scored two goals, one which was a bit of ill-discipline by ourselves at a set-piece.

"We did not have too many chances. It was mostly long range shots and set-pieces.

"If Kettering are to be the benchmark, then we aren't far behind, if we are behind at all. I question anybody who says that we are that far behind Kettering."

Les Hines is a major doubt for tonight's clash after suffering a broken nose in the build-up to Kettering's second goal.

Centre-half trialist Justin Thompson, a Canadian international, could be available despite requiring stitches to a facial gash. Thompson was one of three defenders making their competitive debuts and Preece says they need longer to gel.

He added: "Obviously, it will take a little bit of time because they have got to get to know each other. I felt the new lads did well."