Boston United 0 Worcester City 0

THIS was not a game for the football purist nor the faint-hearted but plucky Worcester City will be satisfied with their afternoon’s painstaking work in Lincolnshire.

Before a ball had even been kicked this season, boss Carl Heeley stressed how difficult it would be for his side to pick up points in a division he described as one of the “toughest” he had come across in all his years in management.

So he and his troops will certainly cherish this one after battling out a bruising goalless draw at Boston United on Saturday.

With players falling like flies at times, the amount of medical attention needed meant the match was extended by 10 minutes.

But still nothing could separate these two teams who both failed to take the chances on offer in what was a scrappy contest.

With just three minutes gone, the game was forced into its first lengthy stoppage when Joe Burgess had to leave the field on a stretcher after breaking his ankle defending a corner.

This seemed to set the tone as Graham Hutchison, Jordan Murphy and Junior English all received treatment from City physio Ruddi Farquharson.

But at least they had something to show for their bruises as Worcester got their campaign back on track with a hard-earned point.

After back-to-back defeats, Heeley made four changes to the side that were knocked out of the Emirates FA Cup by Brackley Town last weekend.

Captain Danny Jackman made way for teenager Joe Fitzpatrick, while centre-back Sam Oji came in for the rested Tom Sharpe and fit-again Ebby Nelson-Addy returned.

Winger Micah Evans was also thrust straight into the attack following his arrival from AFC Telford United on the eve of the game.

And the 23-year-old made a lively start along with Nelson-Addy and Chekaine Steele who did their best to support lone striker Lee Hughes.

All of Worcester’s chances came in the opening period as English headed over an early corner from Steele before Hughes came within inches of scoring on 27 minutes.

After bringing down Steele’s wonderful cross-field delivery with his chest, Hughes strode into the box and slid his shot into the side-netting.

Hughes went narrowly wide again in first half stoppage-time as City threatened to break the deadlock.

Boston also had their opportunities and did put the ball in the back of the net on 17 minutes when Ryan Boot saved Waide Fairhurst’s shot and Liam Agnew netted the rebound.

But the goal was ruled out for offside and the hosts’ frustration continued after the interval as they struggled to breakdown City’s resilient back four, with centre-back pairing Hutchison and Oji putting their bodies on the line.

Hutchison did breathe a sigh of relief on 58 minutes when his slip up allowed Ben Gordon to cut the ball back to an unmarked Jay Rollins who fired over from 12 yards out.

Although Boston had more of the ball in the second half, City richly deserved a share of the spoils as they extended their unbeaten away record to four matches.

And they will hope to build on that clean sheet when they host struggling Stalybridge Celtic next Saturday (3pm).