JOINT-manager Carl Heeley believes Worcester City have the characteristics needed to beat the drop after snatching a 3-3 draw at second-placed North Ferriby United.

However, he admitted his players must “eradicate silly errors” if they are to retain their Vanarama National League North status for another season.

Deon Burton and Lee Hughes put City 2-0 in front at Grange Lane before North Ferriby came storming back.

Liam King scored a penalty just before half-time before Worcester conceded what Heeley described as “comedy goals” when Danny Clarke and Tom Denton gave the hosts the lead.

But the Blue and Whites secured their sixth draw in seven games thanks to an 87th-minute strike from Jordan Murphy.

“We came here with a game-plan to get the ball forward, turn them at every opportunity and it worked really well,” Heeley said.

“We got ourselves into a two-goal lead but, slightly unfortunately with Alex Gudger slipping, we conceded a penalty, which gave them a bit of a lift before half-time.

“We then conceded two comedy goals and all of a sudden we were staring down the barrel again.

“But like we did against Solihull last weekend we came back and got another valuable point at a very tough place.”

With third-from-bottom Lowestoft Town winning, City are just two points above the relegation area and face a must-win clash against 15th-placed Bradford Park Avenue on Tuesday (7.45pm) at Aggborough.

Heeley added: “They are all big games before we get enough points to be safe but we have shown some good characteristics.

“We are making some silly errors and have got to eradicate that.

“But the positives are we have scored three goals and not given up.

“If we had been offered a draw before the game, we would have taken it and we would have certainly taken it when we were losing.

“Not many teams come to North Ferriby and get anything, so we are delighted we have taken something away.”

Centre-half Wayne Thomas was ruled out with a back problem, while midfielder Shaun Donnellan was unavailable after being selected by West Bromwich Albion under 21s to face Aston Villa tomorrow.

Tyler Weir made his first appearance since returning from his two-month ban from football and Heeley heaped praise on the full-back.

“People have kept asking me, ‘Has Tyler been training?’ Well, he hasn’t,” Heeley said.

“He has looked after himself individually away from the club but he has done one training session on Thursday evening.

“So to slot in like he has done, play the full 90 minutes and be back to his old self after being out for two months is testament to him and he was outstanding for us.”