WORCESTER City had to settle for a point from a 0-0 draw against Stockport County on a frustrating night at Aggborough.

Carl Heeley’s men were the better team in the Skrill North encounter, particularly in the second-half, but were unable to break the deadlock.

Hatters keeper Ian Ormson had little to do despite plenty of endeavour with Worcester’s best chance falling to Martin Devaney, who lashed wide after the break.

The closest the game came to a goal was through Phil Jevons’ free-kick which crashed against Leigh Bedwell’s bar just before half-time.

City, who beat Vauxhall Motors 2-0 on Sunday, missed out on leapfrogging County into 13th place in the table.

But it was a 17th clean sheet in all competitions for the Blue and Whites, who host Histon on Saturday (3pm).

Leading City marksman Daniel Nti, who had scored in his previous five matches, hobbled out of the action six minutes from time and could be a doubt for the weekend.

Surprisingly, given the numbers expected to travel with Stockport, the match was played in front of just 376 fans, one of City’s lowest gates of the season.

Barely 50 fans ventured down from Greater Manchester, making the south terrace and east stand look barren.

City, whose last draw came on Boxing Day, made a bright start and Devaney had a shot deflected wide inside the first two minutes.

But that soon fizzled out and the game stagnated as both sides struggled to make an impact.

Nicky Platt drilled wide after being picked out by Adriano Moke in the 17th minute and Robert Lofthouse’s flick from one of two County corners was blocked by Bedwell.

Nti met Ellis Deeney’s 23rd-minute corner but his header lacked accuracy and flew wide.

City showed few signs of fatigue following Sunday’s victory as they worked hard in closing down Stockport.

But, for all their effort, they were unable to carve out any clear-cut chances in the first period.

The visitors fared better with Mark Battersby’s low drive being smothered by Bedwell.

Jevons also rattled the bar with a right-footed free-kick from just outside the box after Graham Hutchison tripped Moke.

City were on top in the opening exchanges of the second-half, forcing corners without troubling keeper Ormson.

At the other end, Moke sent the ball wide following a quick break by the visitors.

Ebby Nelson-Addy drove wide from the edge of the box as City continued to enjoy the upper hand, before Devaney forced Ormson to tip over an audacious effort from almost the halfway line.

The winger then squandered his side’s best chance of the match, lashing wide from just inside the area after the ball sat up nicely.

Soon after, good link-up play between George Williams and Devaney down the right saw the latter fire in a cross from which Aaron Brown had an effort deflected over the bar.

Tyler Weir’s long-range drive was also held by Ormson deep into stoppage time as City failed to make the most of late pressure.

City: Bedwell 8, G Williams 8, Weir 8, Hutchison 8, Thomas 8, Brown 6 (A Williams 90), Nti (Aloi 84) 8, Deeney 6, Moore 7 (Farrell 71), Nelson-Addy 6, Devaney 8*. Subs not used: Shabir, J Smith.

Attendance: 376.