WORCESTER City’s strength of character has shone through in recent games, according to defender Graham Hutchison.

The Blue and Whites are on a nine-match winless streak in Vanarama National League North with their last victory coming more than two months ago.

However, Hutchison insisted they could have easily “gone under” after suffering a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to third-from-bottom Bradford Park Avenue earlier this month.

Since Nicky Boshell’s 97th-minute winner for Avenue, City have drawn 0-0 with FC United of Manchester, 1-1 at Curzon Ashton and 0-0 at Alfreton Town.

“It would be worse if it was three losses in a row,” Hutchison said. “Obviously the Bradford defeat was a tough one to take.

“But it shows the character we have got to bounce back from that.

“A lot of teams would have gone under and it would have taken them two or three games to get over it whereas clearly we have come out and put in three very good performances.”

The 0-0 draw at Alfreton last Saturday also saw City move five points clear of the relegation zone.

And Hutchison reckons their three-game unbeaten run has given them a great platform to build on as they prepare to visit mid-table Gloucester City tomorrow (3pm).

“It was not the most attractive football at the weekend but we feel we did a job,” the 24-year-old said.

“If you had said, ‘Would you take a 0-0?’, I would have said, ‘Yes’, as that is two clean sheets in the last three games.

“It is a fantastic building block to move into the next phase of games.”

Worcester have lost nine of their last 10 meetings with rivals Gloucester, including a 3-2 loss at Bromsgrove’s Victoria Ground in August.

But Hutchison believes they will go to Whaddon Road “full of confidence” as they bid to claim their first league win since beating AFC Telford United on November 12.

“I am up for it,” added Hutchison who is expected to make his 20th straight start at the weekend.

“Obviously they did us over at our place but there were a couple of mistakes on our part that gave the game to them.

“It is a local derby so not much needs to be said about how much it means to everyone.

“They are doing pretty well this season but we will go there full of confidence on the back of a very good performance.

“Clearly getting the win is the most important thing so let’s keep our heads and hopefully nick three points.”