MANAGER Carl Heeley praised the character of his young Worcester City team after their 1-0 victory over Barrow.

The Blue and Whites completed the double over their Skrill North rivals courtesy of Martin Devaney's 73rd-minute free-kick at Aggborough.

It ended the Cumbrians' 13-match unbeaten away record and was only the visitors' second defeat since December 21, the other also coming at the hands of City at Holker Street last month.

Worcester were without the experience of centre-half Wayne Thomas, who was at a job interview for a coaching role in Holland, and midfielder Aaron Brown due to a family funeral in Jamaica.

Heeley said: "We knew we'd have to deal without having two of our most experienced players and big characters.

"It's great when you've got that quality and experience in the side, you have to benefit from it, but when they're not there you have to benefit from what you've learned.

"It's testament to those young lads that they've improved and benefitted from having that experience because earlier in the season we would have gone under but not any more.

"All of us were disappointed after Saturday and the key thing was to respond in a positive way.

"The boys stepped up and, without Aaron Brown and Wayne Thomas, were magnificent."

The Worcester boss added: "It was a tight game but I thought we played some lovely stuff, certainly in the middle third, and, apart from one save in the first-half, Barrow didn't really threaten us.

"It's built on another clean sheet and I am delighted with that."

"Barrow were bottom of the league and, before Darren Edmondson went in there, they were doomed and really struggling.

"But we've done brilliantly well as well and the fact we're the only team to have beaten them in the last 20 is something we should be proud of."