WORCESTER City’s decision to place joint-boss Matt Gardiner on temporary leave had no bearing on their disappointing showing at AFC Telford United, insists Carl Heeley.

However, he admitted Kidderminster Harriers’ untimely approach for Gardiner to become their new head of coaching was the “icing on the cake” to City’s turbulent campaign.

Heeley took sole charge of the side, with John Snape stepping up as assistant manager, on Saturday as they cemented their place in Vanarama National League North despite losing 2-0 to Telford.

The defeat came just a few days after City allowed their Worcestershire rivals to speak to Gardiner, who looks set to end his four-year stint at the club.

“I don’t think (the players were distracted), but I think it is the perfect summary of our season with the number of obstacles we have had to overcome,” Heeley said.

“The Matt Gardiner situation is the icing on the cake.”

He added: “I was personally disappointed that we could not wait for another eight days but it is what it is and we have to deal with it.

“We have had to make the best of what we had, so let’s just see what happens in the next week or so.

“Kidderminster are relegated, we weren’t mathematically safe prior to Saturday, so it was something we could have done without.

“But as a club we have to act as professionally as we can in the situation, which I believe we have done and we have to be fair to all parties, including Matt.”

City retained their National North status thanks to third-from-bottom Brackley Town drawing 1-1 at Curzon Ashton.

And Heeley admitted he did not believe his “tired” players had enough in them to secure all three points at the New Bucks Head Stadium.

“Although Telford had the lion’s share of possession, I thought we defended our line really well and I thought we looked relatively solid,” Heeley said.

“But when they got their first goal we always looked a threatening situation and seldom did we really look like getting back in the game.

“We were relying on the result at Curzon Ashton in particular to just give us that little lift we needed.

“It was always unlikely that we were going to go down with the number of teams between us and the third-from-bottom club.

“But you can’t rest on your laurels and as you saw on Saturday it was a nervy, edgy encounter for both clubs.

“But, fortunately, you have got AFC Telford and Worcester City both satisfied that their goals have been achieved.”