MANAGER Carl Heeley says he hopes Worcester City can make clean sheets a “habit” this season after shutting out Bradford Park Avenue in a 3-0 victory.

Lee Hughes increased his goal tally in the first half before a Cieron Keane free-kick and a header from Chekaine Steele wrapped up the three National League North points at the Horsfall Stadium on Saturday.

Centre-back Graham Hutchison saw red late on but 10-man City refused to buckle as they did not concede for the first time this season.

“At 1-0, they are always in it and Bradford started the second half quite well,” Heeley said.

“After we had weathered the initial 15 to 20 minutes we always looked like we had more cutting edge.

“But the big thing for me was we won the game with a clean sheet.

“Keeping clean sheets is a good habit and we have not done that enough but it was a much better performance on Saturday.”

Goalkeeper Ryan Boot was handed the number one jersey having joined on an initial one-month loan from League One side Port Vale.

And Heeley believes the 21-year-old, who was given the nod ahead of Ethan Ross and Nick Draper, made a difference.

“Ryan looked assured as he dealt with crosses and gave us that bit of confidence,” he said.

“He was making consistent decisions which always helps.”

After a strong start, Heeley felt the game should have been “dead and buried” against their bottom-placed opponents before Hughes opened the scoring on 25 minutes.

But City’s boss was pleased to see his side follow up their 5-3 victory over Alfreton Town in midweek with a first success on the road.

“It is amazing what a win does as you could see from the team the belief was there,” he said.

“We have played some good stuff, created chances and it was a comfortable win.

“The only critical thing was the game should have been over after 15 minutes and when you get those opportunities against sides you have got to punish them.

“But it is great to win a game and be able to look at how we can improve on the back of three points and a 3-0 victory.”

Heeley, whose side climbed to 14th and now face a trip to Brackley Town on Tuesday night (7.45pm), added: “Winning games and scoring goals breeds confidence and when you are not getting the rub of the green and you haven’t got those wins then it is difficult to get that confidence.

“We are on the right foot so I am happy and delighted for the boys again.”