MANAGER Carl Heeley was furious after Worcester City were controversially disallowed a goal in their 0-0 draw at Alfreton Town on Saturday.

Striker Colby Bishop looked convinced he had scored when his header went beyond goalkeeper Fabian Spiess on 56 minutes.

Heeley claimed the ball was “in the net” before Niall Heaton hacked it clear but the officials felt the defender had done enough to keep it out.

“It has nearly hit the bloke in the second row of the stand it is that far in,” Heeley said.

“It is a goal every day of the week.

“I am frustrated because I can understand if the linesman is not up with play but it is a corner so he automatically has to be standing in the right position.

“But he still hasn’t given it.”

Heeley was also unhappy with a decision by referee Martin Woods which led to Cieron Keane getting sent off for two yellow cards in the space of seven minutes.

It is the second time Keane has been given his marching orders in a City shirt and takes the club’s red card haul up to eight this term.

“I have got no complaints with the second yellow as he is committed and we have seen him do it a number of times this season,” Heeley said.

“He either wins the ball or gets booked. It was a judgement whether to stay on your feet but I think the first yellow was soft at best.

“Cieron is unfortunate because it is probably the only two fouls he has committed in the game.”

In a game of few chances at the Impact Arena, Alfreton had the best opportunity to score when Ethan Ross brought down Paul Clayton on 56 minutes.

But, after saving a penalty in City’s 1-1 draw at Curzon Ashton last Monday, the goalkeeper stood firm again as he palmed away Craig Westcarr’s spot-kick.

“It was a decent ball into the box and it has just bounced before Ethan,” Heeley explained.

“It looked like he mishandled it when trying to recover the ball and he clipped the lad’s heels.

“It was a penalty but Ethan pulled off another top-drawer save.

“So it was possibly his mistake but he redeemed himself and pulled off a super save to keep a clean sheet for us.”

The goalless draw means City have scored just once in their last three games and failed to end their nine-match winless streak in Vanarama National League North.

However, Heeley was keen to reflect on the positives as Worcester, who have been depleted by injuries and suspensions in recent weeks, climbed a place to 16th and moved five points clear of the drop zone.

“I am not interested in nine games without a win as we are three games unbeaten now,” he added.

“We have got some key players missing but the boys who have been available to us have put in a great shift again.

“You can’t fault their character, work-rate and desire not to concede a goal.”