MANAGER Carl Heeley heaped praise on his “solid” Worcester City side after they clinched an impressive 2-0 win at Brackley Town.

A 14th minute strike from Jordan Murphy and a late Colby Bishop penalty secured the Blue and Whites their third successive Vanarama National League North victory.

Heeley hailed City’s performance as “outstanding” and applauded his players for their “organisation” and “hard work” at the St James Park.

Worcester were under the cosh for large periods in the second half, but Heeley said he was delighted with the way his team shut out the hosts, who were looking to extend their six-match unbeaten streak.

“Defensively that’s as solid as I’ve seen a Worcester City side for a long time,” he said.

“We never looked like getting breached.

“We were organised, worked hard and I thought we were quite comfortable.”

The result means Worcester have claimed 10 points from their last four games having beaten Bradford Park Avenue 3-0, defeated Alfreton Town 5-3 and drawn 2-2 against Gainsborough Trinity. They have also climbed to 12th position.

“I have always thought we have had the attributes to be a good sides, but individual errors have been costing us dearly,” said Heeley, whose side started the season on a run of eight games without a win.

“We have worked to minimise or eradicate them and we have got results in the last four games when we have done it.

“A lot of it has been down to belief. You have times when you find wins hard to come by and you find times when you feel you can do no wrong.

“But the performance on Tuesday night was outstanding.”

In-form striker Lee Hughes was ruled out due to a “tight hamstring”, but Heeley said the reason for the 40-year-old’s omission was also down to having “one eye” on their FA Cup clash against AFC Telford United on Saturday (3pm).

This opened up an opportunity for Murphy to start up front alongside Bishop and Heeley said he was pleased to see the duo both get on the scoresheet.

“I think it (the first goal) started with Chekaine Steele hitting a lovely diagonal ball from the right touchline,” Heeley said.

“Jordan has had a great first touch and then showed composure to come inside the defender and finish.

“I thought we defended our box really well and we had two or three opportunities where we hit them on the counter attack as we have got a lot of pace and energy, so we were going to get a chance.

“It came from a foul and with no hesitation Bishop has stuck it (the penalty) in the corner.

“That’s a player with confidence and on form.

“But they have all worked superbly hard and you can’t fault their effort and desire.”