RECORDING a much-needed win is the aim for Worcester City as they prepare to take on high-flying Halifax tomorrow (3pm).
Following three defeats on the spin, the St George’s Lane outfit are enduring their worst run of results this season.
However, they are not giving up on reaching the Blue Square Bet North play-offs and are determined to knock in-form Halifax out of their stride at The Shay.
Although coming up against a side who have not lost in their last seven league matches, City produced a marked improvement in doing everything but score in last Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Guiseley.
Manager Carl Heeley is looking for his side to produce a repeat of that display and collect their seventh away win of the campaign.
He said: “We just need to win a game as soon as possible because it will do wonders for everybody’s confidence. There’s no point dwelling on three straight defeats.
“When you are on an unbeaten run, you can’t get carried away because you will always have inconsistent spells and we are having one of those at the moment.
“As much as we were disappointed with the performances against Harrogate and Solihull, we were pleased with the display last weekend but it didn’t yield us any points. If we keep that level up, a win won’t be far away.”
City slipped up at The Shay last season, conceding two injury-time goals to lose 2-1 after Mike Symons gave them a first-half lead.
But, with Halifax having seven games in hand, Worcester know defeat would give them a mountain to climb to finish in the top five.
Heeley added: “Against Guiseley we played well and, with a bit more fortune, we would have won the game.
“We deserved at least a point, if not to win it, but sometimes you don’t get what you deserve.
“We need to replicate that level of performance and hope it’s enough but Halifax are one of the best sides in the league and it’s going to be tough for us.”
Shabir Khan is City’s only injury concern after the left-back missed training to rest a knee and Achilles problem sustained against Guiseley.
His absence would see Ellis Deeney restored to the defence following his move into midfield last weekend.
Centre-half Lee Ayres has shaken off a virus, while midfielder Rob Elvins will be available following the birth of his second daughter.
Halifax manager Neil Aspin was voted the division’s manager-of-the-month for February yesterday, while their midfielder Dan Gardner scooped the player award.
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