WORCESTER City joint manager Carl Heeley admitted his side were below-par as Holbeach United forced a replay in their FA Cup second qualifying round tie.

City will host the United Counties League side tomorrow night after being denied at the death and Healey said the Lincolnshire side deserved a second chance.

“We didn’t play well at all today,” he said afterwards. “I thought we were off in all areas but we got ourselves in front. We’ve had an opportunity to keep the ball in the corner and we decided to put it in the box and then we give a cheap free-kick away.

“But I don’t want to take anything away from Holbeach, I thought they were terrific. They worked hard and they deserve a second bite of the cherry, but we have to play better and we will.

“We’ve had opportunities, Connor Gater’s had a great chance, Tristan Dunkley’s had a great chance and with a little bit more composure the game’s dead and buried but it’s not to be.”

The last-gasp equaliser came from a free-kick, with Worcester not heeding their warning as a similar set-piece five minutes earlier saw the hosts have a header ruled out for offside.

“We gave away too many cheap free-kicks and invited the ball into us, they put it in good areas and that’s the romance of the FA Cup, when the goalkeeper scores a bicycle kick with virtually the last kick.

“We’re still in the competition, it’s been a difficult game, it’s been an uncomfortable afternoon but we’ve got to finish the job on Tuesday evening.”

With the replay followed by the trip to FC United of Manchester on Friday night, Heeley said he may make changes for tomorrow night, but expects his side to be better.

“It might be one of those we have to freshen up but we’ll pick a side we think, after what we’ve learnt today, that will win us the game.”