WORCESTER City are unlikely to have Kettering Town quaking in their boots after losing 1-0 in their final summer warm-up to Newport County.

After showing a great deal of promise earlier in pre-season, City left their most disappointing performance for last at St George's Lane.

Negligence in concentration after half-time was to blame for Andy Preece's men as County midfielder Nick Harrhy took advantage of sleepy defending to register the winner.

And the margin for victory could have been greater for the Welshman when Wayne O'Sullivan struck a post.

City will need to smarten and sharpen up if they are to get their Nationwide North campaign off to a winning start at Kettering next Saturday. Worcester can play much better and, for all the negatives, they matched the visitors in the first-half.

Midfielder Tom Warmer almost broke the deadlock in the third minute with his side's best effort.

Rob Warner's long throw-in was knocked on inside the County penalty box and, under pressure, Warmer fired a right-foot volley which goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan superbly tipped over.

Des Lyttle met the resultant Les Hines corner with a thumping header but could not direct his effort below the bar. A header from Leon Kelly then sailed over.

City's defensive trio enjoyed a comfortable afternoon until the 35th minute when O'Sullivan was given time to fire a low shot from eight yards, but Shabir Khan got a timely block in.

However, Khan and Lyttle were caught napping two minutes after the interval when Harrhy latched on to Dominic Reece's long ball to race through on goal.

Danny McDonnell, perhaps a touch slow to help clear the ball, closed down Harrhy but the midfielder poked the ball into the net.

An audacious 35-yard lob from Jai Stanley shaved the outside of the post as Worcester looked for a quick riposte.

But at the other end, it should have been two for the Exiles following another defensive calamity.

A stray pass from Khan outside City's penalty box was intercepted by O'Sullivan, who side-footed against the upright with McDonnell beaten.

There were chances for Worcester to hit back, with Adam Webster's close-range shot blocked by Antonio Corbisiero and Preece curled a 25-yard free-kick fractionally over the bar.

City: McDonnell, Warner (Stanley 46), Hines (Clegg 74), Khan (Woolley 59), C Smith, Lyttle, Colley, Hyde, Kelly (Jones 74), Webster (Preece 74), Warmer (McDonald 46). Subs not used: J Smith, Hodnett, Skyers.