CARL Heeley has challenged his Worcester City players to break the 50-point barrier this season.

Saturday's 1-0 victory at Barrow lifted the Blue and Whites to 13th in Skrill North with 38 points.

With 10 games remaining, the City manager wants them to better the total they finished on last term, which could see them push for a top 10 place.

He is also banishing all thoughts of relegation following City's return of seven wins from their last 10 matches.

"We're not looking behind us, we're looking up the table and have been for a long time," Heeley said. "We're confident, going well and it's been a great response from two defeats with two very good wins.

"We're looking at finishing as high up the table as we can, we've got no targets. The challenge was to stay in the division but we want to do better than that, we've got pride and we want to better ourselves.

"If we could get up to a similar points tally as we got last season, that would be a magnificent achievement.

"We'll take one game at a time, that's our philosophy and we'll see where it takes us."

Their first chance to pick up three more points is on Saturday with another away trip to high-flying North Ferriby United.

But, having triumphed at Holker Street, Heeley says nothing should faze his players.

"We've beaten a team who were 14 games unbeaten and gone to Altrincham and Guiseley and won, so we'll give North Ferriby respect but go there to beat them.

"There's no point going a long way to see if we can nick a point, we'll go to beat them.

"We're a confident bunch, everybody else was panicking but we weren't. If we keep doing the basic things well it will stand us in good stead."

Former Kidderminster Harriers winger Martin Devaney made his debut as a 70th-minute substitute for Steven Leslie at Barrow.

The 33-year-old has signed until the end if the season and Heeley feels he will have a key role to play for the club.

"He hasn't played for a while but he's experienced, knows the game and that will be priceless to us in the run in," the Worcester boss said.

Heeley also praised the efforts of on-loan Port Vale keeper Ryan Boot, who produced another competent display in place of the injured Jose Veiga.

He said: "Ryan Boot is mature, understand the games and made two great saves and was composed. From a defender's point of view it's an assurance you've got behind you.

"But everybody with the club was superb at Barrow."