IN the space of four days, Worcester City have been involved in two of the most contrasting 0-0 draws you could ever hope to see.

Last Tuesday they played out a stubborn stalemate against in-form Guiseley that, while absorbing, had precious little to shout about in front of goal.

Fast forward 96 hours and the FA Trophy first round proper clash against Telford was the exact opposite with chances galore keeping the Aggborough crowd thoroughly entertained.

Had it not been for the heroics of City keeper Jose Veiga and his opposite number Ryan Young, it is not an exaggeration to say this breathless end-to-end contest could have ended up 5-5.

Veiga, only brought back into the team following four games out with a calf injury after Ryan Boot was recalled by Port Vale at the 11th hour, was outstanding.

He threw his body on the line to deny Andy Owens, Tony Gray and Adam Farrell in the first period but reserved the best until the second-half.

The Portuguese flung himself to his left to push Gray’s header past the post when for all the world it looked as though the ball would creep into the corner, before parrying from the same player seconds later.

Young was similarly impressive, tipping over second-half drives from substitute Danny Glover and former Telford midfielder Steven Leslie, having denied Ethan Moore and Aaron Williams before the break.

But it wasn’t just a tale of two keepers as both sides gave as good as they got throughout.

Worcester have improved over recent weeks yet this was their best display of the campaign bar none.

Carl Heeley’s side matched their league rivals in the first period but were the better team in the second.

The passing through midfield was as good as it has been this season, both intricate and incisive, even if a mixture of Young and wayward finishing ensured it didn’t yield a goal.

While Veiga repelled everything thrown at him, the defence, and in particular skipper Graham Hutchison and Matt Regan, headed and kicked every ball to safety.

Often it was assuredly, remaining calm as Telford enjoyed their moments, including skipper Simon Grand’s first-half header cannoning the bar, but occasionally it was more desperate amid goalmouth scrambles.

Wave after wave of City pressure came as the clock ticked down, although that left them exposed at the back and opened the game up even more during a heart-in-the-mouth finale.

Aggborough, so quiet against Guiseley, was the loudest it has been for a long time and the standing ovation at the final whistle showed the fans had appreciated the spectacle.

The sides will meet again for another crack at progression at the New Bucks Head tomorrow but, as in the FA Cup against Lincoln City, you just hope City haven’t missed their chance.