WORCESTER City put their opening day disappointment behind them with a highly-charged 4-2 victory at Hinckley.

Emeka Nwadike scored twice and Danny Hodnett once in the first-half before Mark Danks wrapped up the points with a superb individual effort four minutes from time.

City were 2-0 up inside 13 minutes and 3-1 to the good by the 26th minute but they were pegged back to 3-2 early in the second-half and were forced to survive a sustained period of Hinckley pressure until Danks eased the nerves with a fine breakaway goal.

The visitors, who threw away a two-goal lead at the Marston Stadium to draw 3-3 when the sides met in March, were without Chris Smith for their first away trip of the season, forcing manager Andy Preece into a reshuffle.

Craig Wilding, on the bench at the weekend, was brought into the attack, while Graham Ward, a midfielder against Hyde, was employed as the right wing-back to allow Hodnett to join up with Ryan Clarke and Rapinder Gill in the back-three.

As in the clash five months ago, City got off to a dream start with a goal after just four minutes. Danks, a constant threat with his pace, beat his marker before unselfishly squaring the ball to provide Nwadike with the simplest of tap-ins.

The visitors continued to press and Hodnett doubled their advantage nine minutes later, rising unmarked to head George Clegg's free-kick be-yond goalkeeper Sean Bowles.

But Hinckley got themselves back into the match following a neat move on 20 minutes. Neil Cartwright headed Dominic Roma's pass across goal and Colin Marrison nodded the ball past Danny McDonnell.

City, though, restored their two-goal cushion six minutes later. Clegg, the only player booked in an, at times, fiery encounter, sent in a free-kick that found Nwadike who steered the ball past Bowles.

Woeful City defending gifted Hinckley a second 12 minutes after the restart. Lee Philpott crossed from the right and Lavery was left unmarked to head the ball past McDonnell.

The City stopper came to his side's rescue 13 minutes from time when he flung himself to tip substitute Leon Jackson's fine volley over the bar.

But any chance of a Hinckley equaliser was eradicated on 86 minutes with a piece of inspiration from Danks. The diminutive striker flicked the ball over the top of last man Sam Shilton, raced clear of the defender and slotted the ball under Bowles to the delight of the travelling support.

City: McDonnell 7, Ward 6, Burley 6, Hodnett 7, Clarke 7, Gill 6, Wilding 7, Nwadike 8, Danks (Colley 92) 8*, Webster (Walker 90) 7, Clegg 7. Subs: Wood, Abbassi, Dinsmore.

Attendance: 632.