JOINT-manager Carl Heeley slammed Worcester City’s “fragile” and “naïve” young players after Curzon Ashton came from behind to claim an emphatic 3-1 victory.

Worcester took the lead on 52 minutes when 19-year-old Shaun Donnellan found the back of the net with a stunning 30-yard strike.

However, Heeley said his side’s inexperience was then exposed as Curzon struck through Chris Rowney, Dan Cockerline and Matthew Warburton to secure three well-deserved points.

“We got shown for what we are – young and inexperienced with not enough game management to see the game out,” Heeley said.

“It was good to get in front, but for me we looked fragile. There wasn’t any pressure on the ball, so too often Curzon passed the ball around at will.”

“But losing Alex Gudger (through injury) was probably the final nail in the coffin because we had to make a double change, with Shaun (Donnellan) coming out of midfield as well.”

Wayne Thomas (back), Nathan Vaughan (groin) and Tom Sharpe (back) were ruled out through injury, while Deon Burton was unavailable due to work commitments.

However, Heeley criticised his young players for not stepping up to the plate.

“You should come out of matches like this better,” he said.

“But I see young players performing like that too often and, with the greatest of respect to Nathan Vaughan, Wayne Thomas and Deon Burton, they are not going to be around playing football forever. There is a time when you need to step up and learn the game.

“We are coming to the end of the season and you still see the same naivety, which is disappointing.”

Heeley described the three goals they conceded as “atrocious” – and singled out Jamie Smith, Danny Jackman and Kieron Morris for causing them.

“I specifically told Jamie what I wanted him to do, and within two minutes he doesn’t do it and it costs you a goal.”