MANAGER Carl Heeley felt Worcester City were the architects of their own downfall as they bowed out of the FA Trophy at Aldershot.

The higher-ranked Shots scored twice in each half to advance to the last 16 after Ethan Moore had put City ahead at the Recreation Ground.

Heeley said: “We’re disappointed to be out and disappointed to concede the goals in the manner that we have.

“I thought we had a real opportunity to cause an upset and we set ourselves up to do that but the combination of poor defending and a lack of quality when it really mattered, that’s ultimately the difference.

“You might consider the scoreline flattered Aldershot but it is what it is and goals make the difference. Good luck to them, they took their chances and we didn’t maximise our opportunities.

“The players showed some character and kept going but we conceded at least three poor goals out of the four and we didn’t take advantage of the good situations we had.”

Heeley also thought his side were out of luck with the City boss claiming Jayden Gibbs’ foul on Moore, with the score at 3-1, should have resulted in a penalty.

Referee Lee Swabey also ordered the Blue and Whites to start the game without midfielder Richard Taundry because he was wearing different coloured ankle socks under his main green ones.

The Worcester manager explained: “I think the referee had a big decision to make and I think he got it wrong in all honesty.

“I have watched the DVD and it was a penalty and a red card.

“The decision went against us and that was probably the end of the game from there on.”

Heeley added: “We knew it probably wasn’t our day from the first minute when we had to start the game with 10 men.

“Richard’s socks were taped up the correct colour, the officials checked them on the way out of the changing rooms and they deemed them OK but when they got on the pitch they changed their minds.

“The other week against Telford the kick-off was delayed for five minutes while we had to wait in the tunnel for a Telford player to change his socks.

“All we want is a little bit of consistency but to make us start the game with 10 men was a little bit petty.”