MANAGER Carl Heeley hailed the character of his Worcester City team after they battled back from two goals down at Leamington.

Second goals of the season for Jordan Murphy and Mike Symons, the latter’s first since August, extended City’s unbeaten Vanarama Conference North run to four matches.

“We showed super character,” the City boss said. “I was disappointed with the first 20 to 25 minutes.

“We were sloppy and lethargic and gifted them two penalties. This happens and all you can ask for then is some character to turn it round. For the last 15 minutes of the first and second-half, we were tremendous.

“We let Leamington off the hook as we had three great chances to win it at the end. It was important to get a positive result.

“Once we started to get our foot on the ball and knock it around, we carved them open regularly.

“But you’re not going to have silky games of football every week, there are times when you’re going to be off it and people make mistakes.

“That’s part of the game but, at 2-0 down, we showed great character and looked menacing going forward. We looked a threat from set-pieces, got ourselves deservedly level and should have won it.”

Leamington scored two penalties and Heeley had few qualms with either, adding a yellow card for keeper Nathan Vaughan was sufficient.

He explained: “Nathan said the first one wasn’t a penalty but, from where I was, if I’d had to make a decision I would have given a penalty both times.

“Even if he had got round him (for the first), the angle would have been narrow. I suppose it was a goal-scoring opportunity but every time you get the ball it’s an opportunity.

“It would have been very harsh (to send him off) and the referee called it right.”