Worcester City felt the wrath of free-scoring Racing Club Warwick on Saturday as they suffered a 4-1 defeat at Townsend Meadow.

The result, which keeps City just five points clear of Wolves Casuals, was decided by half-time with goals from Callum Rudd, Kory Burke and Archie Hamp, with a Dylan Hart consolation effort sandwiched between the two.

Connor Mort made the game safe late on, a far post header ensured that Warwick’s promotion hopes remained firmly intact.

Warwick struck first just seven minutes into the encounter. A lovely cross from the right-hand side found the head of Callum Rudd and Haydn Whitcombe couldn’t keep the effort out.

Whitcombe was in trouble again for the second. A floated cross towards the back post caused mayhem, City’s goalkeeper couldn’t get his glove to the ball, but in-form striker Burke did and made it two.

There was a glimmer of hope for City when Evans scored with just minutes on the clock before half-time. A well-worked bit of play from Dylan Hart, who had his back to goal, rolled it into the big striker who rifled home past Daniel Crane.

The brief bit of hope for the travelling contingent was quickly extinguished just moments before the break.

Whitcombe, who had a torrid first half, was at fault again as a long throw wasn’t dealt with by the towering goalkeeper and there was Hamp to head home.

City put up a better second-half display, with chances through Jordan Stoddart and Elliot Hartley but it remained 3-1 as the clock ticked down.

The game was well and truly put to bed through Mort. Good combination play down the left between Cameron Ruben Ebbutt and Joshua Parsons, eventually led to Parsons’ cross who found Mort for yet another headed goal for the hosts.

The loss means City remain in 16th but given Uttoxeter Town’s defeat to bottom of the league Market Drayton Town, they are still 10 points clear of the relegation zone.