MANAGER Carl Heeley says Worcester City must stop giving away “cheap” free kicks to stand a chance of beating FC Halifax Town at The Shay today (3pm).

The Blue and Whites suffered a 1-0 National League North defeat at Tamworth on Tuesday night after drawing 2-2 against Harrogate Town at the weekend.

Although “encouraged” by the way his side had performed in the opening two games, Heeley felt they could have secured six points.

He also admitted there was a “pattern emerging” after defender Jack Lane struck late at the Lamb Ground.

Heeley said: “It has been a daunting start but we have been very competitive in both games and it probably feels a bit harsh to have one point.

“But you have got to look at the critical moments in the game and we have given away a free kick that we got punished from.”

His side were denied victory last weekend after goalkeeper Ethan Ross fumbled a free kick and Jon-Paul Pittman scored at the death.

Heeley continued: “I said to the boys we are in the second week of August and there is a little pattern emerging. We gave three cheap free kicks away and conceded three goals from them.

“We have got to learn from that quickly because sometimes you get away with it at some standards of football, but in this league you will get punished nine times out of 10.”

Heeley confirmed injured left back Tyler Weir (ankle) and midfielder Connor Gater (toe) are “no closer” to returning to action, while young centre back Kieran Morris is still nursing a broken hand.

But he is hoping summer signings Sam Oji, Steven Craig and Nathan Olukanmi will be available as they await international clearance.

Halifax, meanwhile, have started their bid to return to the National League at the first time of asking with two high-scoring encounters.

They followed up their opening day 3-2 win at Nuneaton with a 2-2 draw against Altrincham in midweek and Heeley said he was expecting a battle at The Shay.

“They (Halifax) get a decent crowd there and have had a great start, so it is going to be a tough game for us,” he added.

“But there is enough encouragement from the two games we have played so far that we are going to compete with teams.

“I am not bothered who we play. I am just bothered about us improving game by game.

“The performance on Tuesday was better than it was on Saturday but what cost us then cost us on Tuesday too, so we have got to cut that out quickly.”