JOINT-manager Carl Heeley was left to lament Worcester City’s ‘lack of cutting edge’ after they were held 1-1 by Stratford Town.

Worcester missed a host of chances at Warwick University’s Cryfield Sports Pavilion and Stratford made them pay when Charlie Faulkner struck in the 77th minute.

However, with six minutes left Alex Gudger took advantage of a mistake from keeper James Cutts to claim a share of the spoils.

Despite snatching a late draw, Heeley said his side’s inability to finish off opportunities was a cause for concern.

“I thought we passed the ball well at times, but the disappointing thing for me was our cutting edge,” he said.

“We created numerous opportunities, especially in the first-half, and we just did not look ruthless enough and that’s something we can hopefully improve throughout the rest of pre-season.”

After Stratford’s ground was deemed unplayable due to improvements to the pitch, the match was moved to Coventry.

But the slick university pitch seemed to suit City’s style as the returning Tyler Weir and Kyle Haynes often moved the ball well down the right.

The visitors also fashioned the first effort on goal when Connor Gater stung keeper Andy Kemp’s hands from range before Daniel Nti pushed his shot wide.

Worcester appeared to get better as the half wore on and were unlucky not to take the lead before the break as Gudger twice went close.

His first effort was palmed away by Kemp before another cross from the left resulted in the defender heading the ball against the crossbar.

Stratford, meanwhile, rarely threatened going forward in the first half. But they quickly announced their intentions after the interval, with Dior Angus and Robert Thompson-Brown both forcing Nathan Vaughan into saves.

City continued to look dangerous, but it was Stratford who broke the deadlock.

With 13 minutes remaining, 17-year-old Faulkner flickedin Aaron Moses-Garvey’s cross to edge ahead.

But after Cutts stopped Ellis Deeney’s 25-yard strike he was then caught out. The replacement keeper failed to claim the resultant corner and Gudger was on hand to drive it in off the post.

The match followed a 4-0 defeat for Worcester’s second string at Coventry Sphinx earlier in the day. But Heeley insisted they were both good fitness tests ahead of City’s Worcestershire Senior Cup clash against Evesham United tonight.