MANAGER Carl Heeley reckons it is no coincidence that back-to-back Worcester City defeats have come without striker Mike Symons in the team.

Symons has missed the last two Vanarama Conference North matches with a back spasm and City have lost both fixtures.

They went down 2-0 at Stockport County last Tuesday and 4-0 at league leaders Fylde on Saturday, having previously won three times in four games.

Heeley feels Symons’ ability to shield the ball in forward positions is a major asset and one that brings team-mates into play.

That wasn’t the case in either of the last two fixtures, with Nick Wright struggling in the role against Stockport and Daniel Nti at Fylde.

The Blue and Whites boss said: “The ball has to go into the front man, it’s got to stick and you build your attacks from there but the ball kept coming back.

“That’s not a criticism of Daniel as he’s not that type of striker, he’s an on-the-shoulder striker or a wide player, but the ball came back too often and therefore it’s difficult to sustain any pressure.

“When you look at Danny Rowe, who played straight down the middle for Fylde, you can see the benefit of a lad who can get hold of the ball and stop it coming back which is exactly what Mike does for us so not having him available makes it a challenge.”

City will be hoping Symons is fit to face Rugby Town in the FA Cup second qualifying round at Aggborough on Saturday.

They are also waiting on the fitness of midfielder Connor Gater, who missed the Fylde match with a ankle injury, while speedy winger Tristan Dunkley has only appeared sporadically due to “personal circumstances which hopefully will get resolved by the early part of the week”.

Heeley added: “Hopefully, the injuries will improve and we’ll get some players back and we just move on. I’m not one to dwell on defeats.”

Meanwhile, City travel to Bedworth United in the FA Youth Cup first qualifying round tomorrow night (7.45pm).

Mark Owen’s side, who reached the second round proper last season, defeated Pegasus Juniors 4-1 in the previous round with two goals from Lucas Muckley and one each for Dean Waldron and Byron Anderson.

Meanwhile, the academy team’s Midland League Under 21s South East Division match at Rugby Town Juniors on Saturday was abandoned with a minute to go due to an injury.

City were leading 3-1 when Waldron was sent off for a challenge which saw the Rugby player land awkwardly and suffer a broken wrist.

Play was stopped while an ambulance was called and the game abandoned.