Agutter’s starting eleven included five of his summer signings and two trialists as he hoped to get some more valuable minutes into the legs of his squad at the start of their pre-season schedule.

The hosts had the first chance of the match in just the third minute when a cross that came in from the left was headed onto the crossbar from point-blank range.

After the early scare, the Rebels began to enjoy plenty of possession, linking up nicely on a few occasions in the first half. Ten minutes in, it opened up for new striker Jake Hutchinson but he couldn’t quite get the bend he wanted on his shot towards the bottom right corner.

Danny Cashman, who was looking lively with his quick feet, almost provided Hutchinson with another opportunity after some good work down the right. His low cross was cut out just before the Rebels’ no. 9 could get there.

Nicky Wheeler, who was another stand-out performer in the first period, was next to threaten. But his curling effort some 20 minutes in was held comfortably.

Joe Cook was called into action at the other end on 27 minutes, putting his body on the line to keep the scores level, before the chance of the half fell to Trialist B after some more neat work from Cashman. The forward floated a glorious ball into the trialist, whose touch to bring it down was equally good, but he couldn’t keep his shot down at it flew over the bar and the sides were level into the break.

Agutter made seven changes at the interval, including the introduction of Jack Spong who took the captain’s armband from Joel Colbran who made way.

And it wasn’t long before the Rebels took the lead. Half-time substitute Alfie Young picked out the lively Cashman with a diagonal ball over the top of the Chi defence. Cashman didn’t even think about taking a touch as he fired in first time on the volley to give his side the lead in style.

The Reds were comfortable in possession again for the next 20 minutes or so without creating all too much. The most threatening moment of that spell came on 64 minutes when Sam Beard was sent in behind and took it to the byline to look to square across goal, but his low cross was cleared away.

On 69 minutes, Agutter made a triple change as Glen Rea, Cook and Cashman all made way for a youthful trio of Cavan Gratwick, Rocco Gamblin and Arthur Gregory who returned to the field after playing the first 45 mins. Some five minutes later, a change was made between the sticks as Chris Haigh made way for a trialist keeper.

The Lilywhites then found an equaliser on 83 minutes. A ball over the top from the home side had found their forward who tucked away his chance to level the scores.

But, the Rebels were soon back in front as Gamblin led the press to win the ball back in the penalty area. It looked like he was fouled as he stumbled in the box under a challenge, but he kept on his feet before laying it to Trialist C who buried home the winner.

It was another useful run out for the Reds following their pre-season opener against Brighton U21s last week and no doubt, Agutter and his coaching staff will have taken a lot of learnings from the contest at Oaklands Park.

Next up for the Rebels is a trip to The Dripping Pan to take on Lewes next Saturday as the preparations for the new season continue.

Worthing XI: Chris Haigh, Joe Cook, Glen Rea, Arthur Gregory, Trialist A, Tyrese Owen, Trialist B, Danny Cashman, Joel Colbran (C), Jake Hutchinson, Nicky Wheeler

Subs (all used): Alfie Young, Ollie Black, Jack Spong, Evan Hoarty, Ollie Starkey, Trialist C, Sam Beard, Cavan Gratwick, Rocco Gamblin, Trialist D