CARL HEELEY is backing City to rediscover the winning habit at Havant & Waterlooville tomorrow and reignite their charge for runners up spot.

Worcester's captain is the first to admit last week's Tiverton display was dire but refuses to allow that to deflect from his attempts at securing his highest ever finish in the Dr Martens Premier Division.

For all his efforts in nine seasons with the club Heeley has never finished higher than sixth in his time at St George's Lane and is intent on recifying that.

"Barring a miracle Tamworth should win the league but we mustn't let our season tail off as it has in recent seasons," he said.

"I'll be very disappointed if we finish lower than second and as a team we are determined not to do that. I think about sixth is my best finish and I want that runners up spot.

"It's a long season and it's easy to let things tail off but we have still got a lot to play for. We're not mid-table with nothing to play for -- there are massive stakes and our aim has to be to finish runners up -- we don't deserve anything less."

Havant's FA Trophy semi-final with Tamworth looms and after a poor start to the season they appear to have found their form in the league with three wins in their last four, including a 1-0 win over Chippenham, City's rivals for second place.

"They've got some experienced players of the quality of James Taylor and Warren Haughton and will be a tough nut to crack," said Heeley.

"But if we can approach the game in the right way we've got every chance.

"Havant have nothing really to play for in the league and hopefully will be side-tracked by the Trophy. If we play to our best we are capable of beating them."

Heeley meanwhile remains a model of consistency and while others may have more natural ability he has become an enduringly effective performer.

He currently faces an anxious wait to see if his unbroken run of games, stretching back nearly three seasons is brought to an end by suspension after picking up a fifth booking last weekend. Otherwise though he is happy with his form apart from a shortage in the goals department where he has just three.

"I'm happy with my form, it's steady without being spectacular," said Heeley. "I play with good players and defensively we've been pretty balance this season which is one of the major reasons we have not given away too much at the back.

"In the position I play there's a job to be done and I do it. I don't try and do anything that I know I can't do.

"The only thing I've been a bit disappointed with is my goals tally.

"I've always managed to get around seven or eight but I'm nowhere near that though I think all the lads have been guilty of not getting enough goals."

FORMCAST: City to draw 1-1.