AT the same time as Worcester City were losing 1-0 at Workington on Tuesday, Liverpool were drawing 1-1 with Chelsea - two games worlds apart in more ways than one.

To start with, City's result kept them in mid-table in Blue Square North, while the Premiership giants were battling it out in a Champions League semi-final.

While the likes of Steven Gerrard and Didier Drogba were either tucked up in their beds or jetting back to London, City's players spent five hours travelling back from Cumbria on a coach.

Also, many of the Liverpool stars were given the weekend off at Fulham in preparation, while City went to Leigh RMI on Saturday, winning 1-0.

But, more significantly than any of that, the City players had taken time off work for the Workington clash, and many had a full day in the office to look forward to on their early-morning return.

It is something that is part and parcel of being a non-league footballer but perhaps a reality not fully appreciated by people who just see a scoreline.

Worcester assistant manager Carl Heeley has been on the non-league circuit for two decades and the difference from the professional game never ceases to amaze him.

"It's quite a challenge," he said. "When you look at the pro footballers earning thousands and thousands of pounds a week it just amuses me when you hear players have been rested on a Sat-urday for a big game on a Tuesday evening.

"When you look at the demands of non-league players, they play on a Saturday, work all week, travel to Workington, get a couple of hours sleep and go back to work the next day.

"You are getting home at three in the morning and have to be back up at six to get ready for work and then get a training session in. There's just no end to it.

"I have never known any different. For 20 years it's been part of my life being in full-time employment and playing non-league football.

"Your body adjusts to it and you get on with it."

Heeley was also full of praise for the handful of fans who made the 500-mile round trip to cheer the team on at Workington.

He said: "Richard Dryden and myself went to the supporters and shook all their hands. It absolutely staggers me that people have that level of dedication. It's one of the driving factors for a non-league player to put the effort in because people are prepared to travel mammoth distances and pay that money."