WORCESTER City boss Richard Dryden wants his players to have belief in their own ability after their heartbreaking FA Cup exit to AFC Telford United.

The St George’s Lane side were outclassed in the first 45 minutes in the third qualifying round replay but in the second-half it was a complete reversal.

Both sides were guilty of missing gilt-edged chances in a thoroughly entertaining cup clash at the Lane but the Blue Square North big guns got the all-important goal in the 23rd minute.

“The lads have shown they can compete with the bigger sides but they need to show more belief,” Dryden said.

“This team is like Rag Bag Rovers. It has taken time to gel together but we are getting there.

“But this defeat to Telford shouldn’t have too much effect on us because of the way we finished the game.”

Dryden insisted he did not need to give his players much of a pep talk during the half-time break, just a slight re-jig of the side with winger Rob Davies replacing Graham Ward.

It seemed as if it was an inspired substitution as City penned Telford back.

Marco Adaggio had several glorious opportunities to take the game to extra-time, while Dryden was full of praise for his back-line for how they performed over the two matches.

“The back four and my keeper put their bodies on the line - they were magnificent,” Dryden said. “We had chances that we should have taken to force extra-time.

“We had chances at their place too so you do feel a little disappointed but proud too for all the effort they put in.”

The City boss was forced into a late change in his starting XI on Monday as central defender Mark Clyde, who had his professional career ended by a knee injury, withdrew.

“He was down to play and in the warm-up Mark came over and said that he was really struggling with his knee,” Dryden added.

“But when you have someone like Wayne Daniel to come in it is not too much of a problem. I have probably got the three best centre-halves in our league at the moment.”