ANDY Preece is confident his Worcester City side will build on Saturday's gritty draw at Alfreton Town and ease their Nationwide North relegation worries.

The goalless outcome in Derbyshire ended City's run of seven defeats and gave player-manager Preece his first league point in three attempts since taking over the helm almost a fortnight ago.

Preece, joined by his assistant Andy Morrison for the first time, was delighted with his side's work-rate at Alfreton's muddy Impact Arena and believes they should have taken three points after creating the most chances.

Worcester played the full 90 minutes in a 5-3-2 formation, a system used occasionally by former boss John Barton earlier this season, and it worked wonders as they kept their first league clean sheet in 15 attempts.

Preece has now backed his side to move further away from the drop zone in the next few weeks, beginning with next Saturday's league clash with Vauxhall Motors at St George's Lane.

He said: "It was a good result and an excellent performance on a difficult pitch. It was just what we wanted, that effort and that commitment. There was a lot of determination by the players to get a result.

"There was a lot of passion too. Everybody worked hard for each other and that's the way forward for us. It was just nice to get a result after the recent run that we've been on. That will give all the lads plenty of confidence for the games coming up.

"I think we did just shade it. We probably just about deserved to win it, especially on work-rate and the chances we created. It would have been great had Leon Kelly put away his chance in the last minute, but it was not to be.

"We changed the system with the three lads at the back and three in midfield and I think that worked well. The system suited them."

Preece added: "The signs are looking good for us. Whatever the result had been against Alfreton, it was still very positive with what I saw. I don't fear anybody in this league, but it is important to build on this performance.

"We've now got two big games on Saturday then Tuesday. We don't want to suddenly go backwards against Vauxhall Motors. I would not be overly concerned if we did not beat them, but I would want us to put in a performance to match this one.

"A point and a clean sheet was good at Alfreton but we have got to move on and try to get three points."