WORCESTER City joint manager Carl Heeley praised his rock solid defence as they helped pave the way for a third straight victory and secured a place in the first round proper of the FA Trophy.

Goals from Ebby Nelson-Addy and Tyler Weir wrapped up a 2-0 win at Brackley Town on Saturday, but in atrocious blustery conditions, the back-four played a key role.

The home side had managed just one shot on target all game and young defender Alex Gudger was the star turn.

“He’s done brilliantly this season and I’m sure with their help he will keep on improving,” Heeley said.

“When you put him alongside a Tom Sharpe or a Wayne Thomas, two very experienced players, he can only benefit as they will talk to him and help him positionally.

“Certainly when I was a young centre half, playing alongside the likes of Martin Hicks, who’d had 600 or 700 games for Reading, developed my game massively."

Heeley continued: “We spoke about the attitude and application before the game. It was a very good surface but driving rain and a blustery wind made for very difficult conditions. We decided to play against the wind in the first half and try and keep a clean sheet and we did that to give ourselves a platform.

“Everything we spoke about before the game, the boys went and put it into practice.

“In the first half we had the clearest chance when Dan Nti broke through after a great move and probably should have scored."

Heeley added: “You have to defend properly and if you keep a clean sheet then you need to score fewer goals to win it. There have been too many times this season when we have conceded and not given ourselves an opportunity. Letting in only one goal in three games is a massive improvement."