CARL Heeley admitted Worcester City squandered a “great opportunity” to all but secure survival in Vanarama National League North against Stockport County.

And Heeley has urged his players to claim the win he believes will take his 15th-placed side “over the line” at Hednesford Town tomorrow (7.45pm).

Having defeated Bradford Park Avenue 3-1 last Tuesday, City were in a “good position” to collect another valuable victory thanks to Lee Hughes’ first-half double.

But Stockport came from 2-1 down with two goals in the final 10 minutes to defeat Worcester, who sit just four points above the drop zone with five games left.

Heeley said: “Of course it was a setback as it was a chance to get ourselves over the line and we have squandered it from being in a good position.

“We had a great opportunity to win when we were 2-1 up with 10 minutes to go but we squandered it, so we have got to move on to tomorrow night now and try again.”

Worcester have conceded nine goals in their last four games but their joint-manager Heeley insisted this was not a concern as he looks to push for that all-important win.

“Historically, we have been low scorers and now we can’t stop scoring but we are conceding sloppy goals as well, which is frustrating,” he said.

“But I am not bothered about our performances and about how many goals we score and how many goals we concede.

“All I am concerned about is getting the win we need because if we get that, then the season is pretty much done for us.

“We have failed to get it against Stockport but we will try again against Hednesford.”

With Kyle Perry, who left Hednesford to join City last month, unable to face his former club due to a clause in his transfer agreement, Heeley is hopeful of having strikers Hughes and Deon Burton available.

Second-from-bottom Hednesford, who are six points adrift of safety, kept their survival hopes alive with a 2-1 win over Tamworth at the weekend.

And Heeley, whose side lost 4-1 to the Staffordshire outfit at Aggborough in August, said he was expecting a battle.

“They are scrapping for their lives as well,” he added.

“They need wins and got a good win at home against Tamworth, so they will be upbeat.

“It is also not the easiest of places to go to but, if we do things right, it is a game we can win.”