CARL Heeley's has issued a plea to Worcester City's strike force ahead of tomorrow's crunch clash at Tamworth -- be ruthless.

The St George's Lane club go into the match (3pm) with a chance of returning to the top of the Dr Martens Premier Division but they must put their chances away according to City's captain.

John Barton's team rescued their festive programme with a 3-1 victory against Hednesford Town on New Year's Day -- but Heeley warns that to take something from The Lamb they must up their game in front of goal.

"I think it will all come down to taking our chances because we will definitely create them," he said.

"I've lost count of the number of times that we have had teams beat and given them encouragement to come back into the game because we haven't taken our chances.

"It's time we stopped doing that and were more ruthless in front of goal. If we do that I'm confident we are strong enough at the back to hold our own."

Heeley is playing down talk of a title showdown but admits it is important Worcester do not lose.

"We are going there confident of getting a result," added Heeley.

"It would be great if we could win but the important thing is that nothing is going to be decided but we can't get beaten.

"Tamworth have had a few injuries but with their pitch being quite heavy I wouldn't be surprised if it was called off."

The two sides drew 0-0 at St George's Lane back in September, and Heeley admitted: "They are the best side we have played this season and it is going to be a tough test.

"They are top of the table -- and like us and Chippenham are not up there by fluke -- they are the best side.

"But we have every confidence and we are not throwing in the towel."

Victory against Hednesford gave Worcester four points from nine over the festive period -- a disappointing haul admits Heeley.

"We desperately needed to beat Hednesford. No other result would have done because four from nine is disappointing," he said.

"If we had been beaten by better sides it would have been fair enough but we should have taken maximum points from both the Newport and Welling games.

"Against Hednesford I thought we were the far better side but again we gave them encouragement to get back into the match.

"But we came back which showed character to win the game because it often happens that a side that is not in the game grabs a goal and ends up winning the game."

Heeley will be lining up alongside Jon Holloway, who marked his return to action after missing two games by scoring the first goal against Hednesford, and he could be one of the key figures in the match.

"Jon has always got a presence. Players look at him and know he's not going to go missing," added Heeley.

Fans are reminded that crowd segregation will be in force at tomorrow's game.

City's reserves entertain Hinckley United tomorrow (2.45) in the Midland Combination Challenge Trophy.

FORMCAST: Another stalemate 0-0.