MANAGER Carl Heeley says he “could not have asked for more” from his players as Worcester City claimed a 2-0 victory over Sutton Coldfield.

City arrived at Coles Lane on Friday night still reeling from their dismal display against Redditch United in the Worcestershire FA Senior Cup on Tuesday evening.

But Heeley said he got the “reaction” he wanted as Lee Hughes coolly dispatched an 82nd minute penalty before sealing victory in stoppage time with a thumping strike.

“I could not have asked for more,” he said.

“Everything we got on Friday night was missing the other evening.

“We work hard, kept the ball and we had loads of energy.

“If we had put in another performance like Tuesday evening then it would have been a lot more worrying.

“But from the first moment on Friday night you could see the difference.

“There was a total contrast and that’s what we wanted.”

Centre-back Graham Hutchison and midfielder Junior English were the only survivors of the team that lined up against Redditch.

Experienced defender James Chambers and goalkeeper Nick Drapper were among a number of players who returned to the starting line-up.

Heeley also selected two unnamed trialists and he admitted several players staked their claim for a contract.

“We didn’t train on Thursday as we were playing the next day, so that was the first time we have seen them,” Heeley said.

“We asked for a reaction as we wanted to get things right and we got that, so I am very pleased.

“I thought we were good defensively, we closed down well and we were great when we had the ball.

“The final ball in the box could have been a little bit better at times, but it is the first time a lot of them have played together and some of the trialists that have played were very good.

“A lot of them have staked a good claim.”

Worcester are next scheduled to face Leamington at the New Windmill Ground on Saturday (3pm).

But Heeley admitted he was keen to secure another fixture as preparations gather pace ahead of the new Vanarama National League North campaign against Harrogate Town at the Victoria Ground on Saturday, August 6.

“We are trying to arrange a game in midweek, so we will see how that goes,” Heeley added.