BOSS Carl Heeley believes Worcester City are becoming an increasingly tough nut to crack.

Last Saturday’s stalemate against Oxford City was the eighth time the Blue and Whites have kept a clean sheet in all competitions this season.

They have also conceded in only one of their last seven matches — the 4-0 defeat at Stockport County earlier this month.

Graham Hutchison and Richard Munday were the central defensive pairing at the weekend but Shabir Khan and Exodus Geohaghon have also played there.

Keeper Jose Veiga and full-backs George Williams and Ellis Deeney have also been integral to the rearguard effort.

“We are difficult to beat,” said Heeley, a former central defender with more than 500 appearances for Worcester under his belt.

“That’s how we’re set up, we want to be tough to break down and that’s what we are. I am really pleased defensively.

“I want centre-halves to win their battles and win their headers, put their bodies on the line and make blocks.

“I couldn’t have asked any more of them and generally over the season they’ve been outstanding whichever partnership we’ve played.”

The Worcester manager continued: “Sometimes goals come but the golden rule in football is if you can’t win a game, especially away from home, you don’t lose it and you keep a clean sheet.

“We did that and have done on a number of occasions away from home this season so we’re really, really pleased.”

Munday came off with cramp late on against Oxford, while Khan missed the match with an ongoing hernia problem but is not expected to be on the sidelines for long.

“Shab would have gone on the bench but he’s struggling with his hernia,” Heeley said.

“There’s no point playing him and pushing him through when he’s not right.

“We’re not going to do any more damage but the soreness does take time to settle down.”

Meanwhile, fellow centre-half Sam Smith has joined Stourport Swifts on loan.