MANAGER Carl Heeley hailed Worcester City’s “desire” after holding high-flying Kidderminster Harriers to a 0-0 draw at a packed-out Victoria Ground in Vanarama National League North.

The Blue and Whites spent much of the Boxing Day clash on the back foot and suffered a blow 10 minutes into the second half when Sam Oji saw red.

But the hosts frustrated their local rivals who were also reduced to 10 men when Ryan Croasdale received a second yellow card on 77 minutes.

And Heeley insisted he was “happy” with one point following a “really hard-fought local derby” in front of 1,869 supporters.

The manager locked horns with Matt Gardiner for the first time since he left City to join Harriers’ coaching team.

Heeley said: “We were playing against a very good side and you can see why they are well drilled because that’s the opportunity you get when you are full-time.

“It was always going to be difficult for us and we were going to have to keep our shape but we worked incredibly hard through the week on what we were going to do to try to stifle them and maybe hit them on the counter-attack.

“The difficulty we had was our two wide-men were having to work that hard defensively it was difficult for us to get out, particularly in the last 20 minutes. But it is a hard-earned point for us and we are happy with that.”

City’s best two chances came at the end of the first half when Lee Hughes was thwarted by Sam Hornby before the striker set up Junior English who sent the ball wide from close range.

“You are expecting that to hit the back of the net when you are three or four yards away,” Heeley continued. “But Junior said the player got a foot to it, kicked it against his face and it has gone wide so it was unfortunate.

“But overall we worked very hard, especially late on to stay in the game and not concede. The desire, work-rate and everything our boys showed was exceptional and they deserved their point.”

Heeley also had “no complaints” with referee Declan Bourne’s decision to dismiss Oji for a late tackle on James McQuilkin.

“I have got no complaint whatsoever,” he said. “He has gone for the ball, was 100 per cent committed and the player has just nicked it past him.

“They look a lot worse than they are but fortunately the lad (McQuilkin) was OK and Sam was rightfully given a red card.”

Heeley, whose side visit Harriers on New Year’s Day (3pm), added: “I was impressed with every one of them.

“They have worked hard and when they have had to throw their bodies on the line they did and there was just a sheer refusal to concede a goal. That’s what you want from your players.”