It was hardly a classic to live long in the memory – but Worcester boss Carl Heeley still saw enough to hail AFC Telford United as “the best we’ve played”.

The City boss was gushing in his praise of counterpart Andy Sinton’s side, insisting his men had yet to come up against a team their equal this season.

Heeley’s men have already faced Blue Square Bet North high-fliers Workington and Boston in the early weeks of the season.

Yet the Worcester chief declared: “They’re the best side we’ve played to date.

“For the first 20 minutes of the second half they were outstanding, they were all over us and there wasn’t anything we were doing wrong.

“They just dominated possession and put some great balls in – they caused us all sorts of problems.”

Kind words from the Worcester chief, though in truth it took a half-time rollicking by Sinton to inspire that kind of performance.

The first half had been a turgid affair, the two sides mustering just three efforts on goal between them. The first enabled Worcester to take the lead from the penalty spot, and it had two former Bucks at the centre of the action.

Kevin O’Connor’s departure in the summer was a disappointing one, though Telford have hardly missed the Wolves man since and he was largely anonymous on Saturday.

Still, it was his run into the box that drew Carl Rodgers’ clumsy challenge to win a 12th minute penalty verdict.

Another ex-Buck Mark Danks stepped up to take it, blasting straight down the middle. Keeper Ryan Young, already committed to going right, stuck out a hand and made contact – but could only deflect the ball into the net.

Telford’s attempts to get back into the game were laboured at best, their one chance of note falling to Alex Meechan.

The striker looked through on goal but was stopped in his tracks by a tremendous challenge from Tom Evans. Loud appeals for a penalty were misplaced – the defender having timed his tackle to perfection.

Greg Mills offered moments of excitement on the left wing but the half-time whistle was still almost a blessed relief.

Yet Sinton clearly found a way at the break to get a reaction out of his side as they were transformed in the second half.

Early pressure saw Meechan draw a save out of Worcester keeper Tim Sandercombe, but that was merely a brief respite for the visitors.

On 48 minutes the Bucks were level as a Sean Newton corner found Steve Abbott at the far post and he climbed highest to direct a header down into the bottom corner.

From there, the game was like a scene from the Alamo for a while as Telford poured forward looking for a second.

Sandercombe made a smart save to prevent Abbott doubling his tally and Phil Trainer saw a glancing header come back off the bar, while Meechan missed the best opening of the lot – having been set up by debutant substitute Adam Proudlock.

Former Wolves man Proudlock also had a strong penalty claim dismissed before Worcester rallied in the closing stages.

Simon Richman had a great chance for the visitors to snatch a victory but blasted over.

Proudlock thought he’d netted a dramatic injury-time winner but spotted the offside flag as he started his celebrations.

The 29-year-old did enough to suggest he can play a part in the weeks to come.

But Telford will have to become cuter in breaking teams down if they are to live up to Heeley’s generous assessment.

Match analysis by CHRIS HUDSON