WORCESTER City’s top scorer Lee Hughes is facing a battle to retain his number nine shirt after Amadou Bakayoko came off the bench to snatch a 1-1 draw at Nuneaton Town.

Joint-manager Carl Heeley sung the praises of the Walsall loanee after he showed “bravery” and “desire” to head in a 90th-minute equaliser.

Bakayako made way for Hughes for the Vanarama National League North clash at Liberty Way after the 39-year-old former Premier League striker returned to full fitness.

However, Heeley believed 20-year-old Bakayoko, who has recently agreed a deal to stay at City for a further month, had pressed his case to start against Stalybridge Celtic at Aggborough tomorrow night (7.45pm).

“We threw Amadou in at the deep end a little bit when he first arrived, so he probably didn’t have the best of starts,” Heeley said.

“But since then he has looked like a major threat with his pace and power and has chipped in with a couple of important goals.

“He was very unlucky not to start against Nuneaton but he had a smile on his face, took it on the chin, came on, did his bit and put himself in contention for tomorrow evening.”

Worcester fell behind in the 82nd minute when Dave Morgan found the top corner.

But, with a minute of normal time remaining, Bakayoko escaped the attentions of Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, on loan from landlords Kidderminster Harriers, with a looping header before nodding the ball past keeper Jordan Smith.

“After heading the ball up in the air to try and keep it alive, he then realised he was the closest player to it,” Heeley said.

“It was then a 50-50 with the goalkeeper and Amadou showed his desire as he could have got absolutely whipped out but credit to him as he has gone in there bravely, got himself a goal and rescued a point for us.”

As well as extending the loan deals of Walsall duo Jordan Murphy and Bakayoko, City also agreed terms with West Bromwich Albion to keep midfielder or centre-half Shaun Donnellan, 19, until the end of the season.

Joint-boss Heeley added: “We are delighted with that as Shaun has been a real plus for us.

“He shows great maturity for his age and has got all the attributes you need and hopefully he can have a good learning experience while he is with us.

“There is always doubts because, when he comes and does well, clubs in the Football League might want to take him.

“But he wanted to stay and West Brom were happy for him to stay here, so that was a good start.”