CARL Heeley has called on everyone at Worcester City to savour the moment after the club ended a nine-year wait to reach the FA Cup first round proper.

City, who last made it beyond the qualifying rounds in 2005 when they went on to play Huddersfield Town, sealed their place in tonight’s BBC-televised draw with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Southern Counties East minnows Greenwich Borough at Aggborough yesterday.

Goals from skipper Ellis Deeney and substitute Daniel Nti, either side of Billy Bennett’s equaliser, ensured City banked £12,500 in prize money and joined 48 clubs from League One and Two in the hat.

City will be ball number 71 in the draw and will be eying potential money-spinning ties against the likes of former winners Portsmouth or League One leaders Bristol City.

Heeley, who has reached the first round as a player but is now experiencing it for the first time as a manager, said: “It’s been a long time since we’ve achieved it but we’re there now and it’s time to savour the moment and enjoy the build-up to it, whoever we may get.

“You either want a winnable game or a plum tie. Let’s see what happens but to get a plum tie and maybe get the cameras down here would be fabulous.

“I think there was a little bit of fear in our game yesterday but hopefully that’s gone and it’s bonus time for the club and time to enjoy it.

“I hope all of our supporters, directors and volunteers who work hard for the club enjoy it as well.

“I can’t praise our supporters highly enough. This moment is for them as well, they can enjoy it now and hopefully they’ll get a plum tie and get a good number in this ground if we get a home draw.”

The City boss added: “The FA Cup bridges gaps between leagues and Greenwich pushed us all the way. It would be nice to see them climb the pyramid because they’re an ambitious club.

“They’d won 11 games on the bounce and have got good financial backing. If we were to play teams from that league week in week out we’d win nine times out of 10 but nobody can explain what happens in the FA Cup. That’s why it’s most prestigious competition in the world.

“I sympathise with Greenwich but it was our day and we’re going to savour and enjoy the moment.”

The match was briefly marred by crowd trouble following Greenwich’s equaliser, with stewards having to break up scuffles between rival fans on the north terrace.

City say they are waiting for the report of referee Derek Eaton before deciding what action to take.