ARCHIE Muirhead's stunning second-half strike capped off a successful first run out for Worcester City as they kicked-off their pre-season with a comfortable 4-0 win over Moreton Rangers.

Striker Bobbie Dale scored his first Worcester goal almost a year after joining and he also provided an assist for Muirhead's first following captain Craig Jones' nodded opener after the break.

Muirhead's then cut onto his left foot from 25-yards to whip a finish past the stationary keeper five minutes from time to add a fourth and give Tim Harris' men an encouraging start to their hectic pre-season schedule.

City boss Harris was able to give 18 players minutes across the 90, including debuts for centre-half Tyreace Brown and winger Darragh Bustin as well as game time for a returning Sean Brain.

Brain and Brown started a first-half that visitors City dominated against their lower-level opposition but Moreton's defence managed to stand firm and keep it at 0-0 at half-time.

Brain went close a couple of times and wing-back Callum Debar enjoyed plenty of runs in behind the defence, but City could not break the deadlock.

Six changes were made at the interval and saw the likes of Aaron Roberts, Dale, Billy Shaw, debutant Bustin, Josh Schuck and Muirhead introduced.

Bustin made an immediate impact as his long throw found the head of Jones, who powered a header into the back of the net.

City were utterly dominant and had numerous chances to double their lead before Muirhead crossed for a sliding Dale to open his City account just after the hour mark.

Aside from a very short cameo in the Senior Cup final against Pershore Town, Dale was playing his first meaningful minutes of football in over a year and he turned provider for Muirhead as he picked out the youngster in the box before the winger bundled it over the line.

Shaw had a few attempts hit the woodwork before Muirhead popped the icing on the cake late on with a delightful finish.

City (first-half team): Harrison 6; Maphosa 7, Jones 8, T Brown 7; Debar 7.5, Douglas 7.5, Taylor-Randle 7, Whitton 7; Withington 7, D Brown 6.5, Brain 7.

City (half-time subs): De Garis 6, Roberts 7.5, Schuck 7, Bustin 7.5, Shaw 7, Muirhead 8, Dale 7.5