The opening five minutes were eventful for both sides as City earned a couple of set pieces after being brought down in the final third. On the five-minute mark, Stamford had the ball in the net, but it was ruled out for offside, keeping the encounter goalless.

City had their first real chance of the game eight minutes in when Belmonte played in Dan Sweeney, but the striker’s effort was blocked by a defender.

Worcester came close again to taking the lead when Paul Downing headed millimetres over the bar as City continued to apply pressure on the visitors.

City again threatened from a set piece when Charlie Wise was left exposed with a free header, but his effort flew straight at the keeper.

Worcester had another chance to break the deadlock when Liam Lockett dribbled around the keeper, but his effort struck the far post and bounced back into play.

As the first half drew to a close, City continued to dominate possession and create the better chances, with the match remaining goalless at the break.

Minutes after the restart, Stamford broke away and captain Jack Duffy found the net to give the visitors the lead against the run of play.

City looked threatening as they pushed for an equaliser when full-back Josh Bailey countered down the left-hand side and delivered a cross, but no one was able to meet it.

As the second half wore on, it was the visitors who controlled the tempo as Stamford looked to push for a second goal and put the game out of sight.

City had a golden opportunity to level the contest when Dan Sweeney’s snapshot was fired straight into the keeper’s gloves.

Worcester continued to push with eight minutes of stoppage time added, but despite their efforts, the visitors held firm and ran out 1-0 victors, taking all three points.

City will be back in action next Saturday with a trip cross-country to face Real Bedford in the Southern League Premier Central.

Match report by Harry Wilcox.