AN injury-time header from the experienced Lee Hughes secured Worcester City a 1-1 draw against Alfreton Town at Aggborough tonight.

Sam Jones put the visitors on course for a sixth straight win on the road when he fired past City’s debutant keeper Calum Kitscha on 70 minutes.

But City claimed their fourth draw in five matches in Vanarama National League North when Hughes climbed highest to steer home Marius Ologu’s corner.

Worcester handed Kitscha, who joined on loan from Cheltenham Town on Monday, a surprise debut as he was given the nod ahead of Ethan Ross.

Kieran Morris, who was recalled from Rushall Olympic, was also drafted into the team after centre-back Wayne Thomas was struck down with a back problem.

The duo found themselves with work to do in the opening stages as Jordan Robertson flashed a shot wide before Jones’ attempt was deflected over.

City got the first effort on target, though, as Alex Gudger’s header was cleared off the line after he got on the end of Dan Nti’s corner on 14 minutes.

Worcester fronted up well against their battle-hardened opponents with midfielder Shaun Donnellan getting stuck in.

But Hughes, who came in for Amadou Bakayoko, was feeding off scraps as Jordan Murphy and Nti struggled to break down Alfreton’s defence.

The away side upped the ante in the final 10 minutes of the first half with Dan Bradley and Jones looking to force the issue.

But Worcester remained resilient as Tom Sharpe and Morris often cut out the danger.

Jones went closest for Alfreton with a shot from the edge of the area that he dragged just wide.

City had a couple of late first-half chances but Murphy’s strike was saved by Matt Duke before Nti fired wide.

Worcester started the second period positively and quickly forced a save from Duke as Nti stung the hands of the keeper.

Signalling their intent, joint-managers Carl Heeley and Matt Gardiner threw on another attack-minded player in Ologu, replacing Danny Jackman.

And the Romanian made an immediate impact as he turned his marker in the area before having a powerful shot deflected over.

Bakayoko was also introduced as City went for the opener but against the run of play Alfreton took the lead.

Lindon Meikle slotted the ball through to Robertson, who was denied by Kitscha but the on-loan keeper could do nothing to stop Jones’ thumping effort.

With Ologu looking lively and Donnellan bossing the midfield, City responded well and they almost levelled on 83 minutes.

After Connor Gater’s cross caused confusion in the Alfreton box, the ball looped in the air and Donnellan’s header was palmed away by Duke.

City threw everything at the visitors and with seconds left on the clock snatched a point.

Moments after Hughes had a header tipped over the bar by Duke, the former West Bromwich Albion striker rose above Alfreton's defence and planted the ball past the keeper. City (4-2-3-1): Kitscha 7; Minihan 7, Sharpe 7, Morris 8 (Smith 88), Gudger 7; Jackman 6 (Ologu 7, 60), DONNELLAN 8; Nti 7, Murphy 6 (Bakayoko 6, 68), Gater 6; Hughes 7. Subs not used: Ross, Waldron.

Alfreton (4-4-1-1): Duke; Doyle-Charles, Moyo (Allan 68), Jordan, Heaton; Bradley, Thanoj, Nyoni, Meikle; Jones; Robertson (Jackson 85).Subs not used: Jackson, Smith, Leesley.

Attendance: 351.