MANAGER Carl Heeley believes Worcester City can take great pride from their performance against Kidderminster Harriers in the Worcestershire FA Senior Cup final.

City lost 2-1 to their landlords at Aggborough with Luke Maxwell and Jared Hodgkiss on target for Harriers after Sean Geddes had fired the Blue and Whites in front.

But with Harriers being a full-time Conference club, Heeley was proud of the way his players acquitted themselves.

He said: “It was always going to be tough for us but we pushed them really close, there was little to choose between us.

“We were playing a full-time club from the division above and that’s credit to how the players look after themselves away from part-time training.

“Technically, we’re not far away from that standard. We proved that in the FA Cup and against Halifax in the FA Trophy. We’ve just fallen a little bit short but that’s no disgrace, we were playing against a very good side with some top players.

“The lads did themselves and the club proud, they gave everything they’ve got and gave a good account of themselves. We just fell short in the end but, looking back, I couldn’t have asked any more.”

The City boss continued: “I thought Jared Hodgkiss was excellent, he gave them a real lift and got the winning goal but he’s a top player and you can’t hide the quality he’s got.

“Congratulations to Kidderminster, on the evening they just about shaded it.”

City now complete their Conference North campaign against Colwyn Bay at Aggborough on Saturday.

Heeley said: “This season’s certainly been the most memorable while I’ve been involved in football and we’ll all look back on some really fond memories.

“I think we’ve been victims of our own success, losing our best players because they’ve been put in the spotlight and done exceptionally well. But we try to look at that as a positive and players will look at our track record of moving players on and hopefully that will help us with our recruitment drive through the summer.”

Rob Elvins was again deployed in midfield and will continue in that role next season.

The Worcester manager explained: “We see Rob as that holding midfield player and he’s done exceptionally well in the two games he’s played. I think it’s his natural position.

“He’s competitive and comfortable on the ball.”