MANAGER Carl Heeley says Worcester City fully deserve their place in tonight's FA Cup third-round draw for the first time in more than 30 years.

City's come-from-behind 1-1 draw at League One Scunthorpe United yesterday secured a replay at Aggborough and put them in the hat with holders Arsenal and Premier League leaders Chelsea.

It is the latest achievement in a season that is turning into one of the most remarkable in the club's history.

Heeley said: "A lot of people wouldn't have believed it but we are there on merit. We deserve our name to be in the hat for the third round and let's see what the draw brings.

"We didn't reach the heights that we have done in other games but we did enough to stay in the tie and keep Worcester City's name in the hat which is all I could have asked for.

"You want a big draw and go to Old Trafford or Anfield and, whoever wins this tie, I am sure we both want the same. Let's hope for a plum tie — there's plenty to play for."

The City boss said he was determined for his players to do themselves justice and is proud of their feat, secured with Daniel Nti's leveller barely a minute into the second-half.

"The message at half-time was to have no regrets," he said. "It's a long way for a non-league team to get to the second round of the FA Cup and to not do yourself justice when you get there is something they wold regret for the rest of their lives.

"We weren't at the races in the first-half and we needed to correct that."

But Heeley continued: "We can be critical of our performance and be frustrated in the first-half but the fact we are a non-league club and have gone away to two League One clubs, beaten one and held the other to a draw, is a fabulous achievement. We are well in this tie.

"We have part-time players, on a big stage in a super atmosphere, and they have dealt with that.

"Overall, we have acquitted ourselves incredibly well and I can't be anything other than proud of them."

Heeley added: "Overall, it's probably a fair result, I think both sides deserve a second crack.

"It was important not to capitulate and go two goals behind because it would have been a mountain to climb.

"But we've got a little bit of experience, we kept ourselves in the game and, with the fitness levels we have got, we knew we could go for 90 minutes.

"It was nice to get an early second-half goal and in the end it could have gone either way."