JOHN Snape insisted the spotlight would burn no brighter on Worcester City in the wake of Saturday’s surprise reverse at Shawbury United.

Another healthy City following travelled to Ludlow for the 2-1 defeat with many voicing their disappointment at full-time and online over the weekend.

Worcester’s squad has been blighted by injuries in recent weeks with Snape and fellow joint-boss Lee Hughes hinting at the potential for transfer activity.

But Snape is adamant the premature withdrawals of Jamie Smith and Josh Sarmento nor the pending three-match ban for fans’ favourite Mark Danks will accelerate any planned squad movement.

“We will see what we’re made of now. We had a super month in September but got brought back down to earth with a bump,” said Snape.

“It is for everyone who wants to be at the club to show it and that never changes. There were some harsh words in the changing room on Saturday but actions speak louder. We’ll see how we go.

“There will always be knee-jerk reactions because of the club this is. Shawbury got a result against us which was fantastic for them, we were not at the races. Those are the simple facts.

“People play for their places every week. As disappointed as we are with the performance, these are the times when you find out about yourself and your players.”

On the injury front, Snape added: “Jamie suffered a nasty blow as he got a block in, he should be okay but will be assessed over the week.

“Josh Sarmento came off with an Achilles problem as well so that did not help us on Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Shawbury manager Dave Richards argued the dismissal of Danks had been warranted.

Danks apologised and acknowledged he had not given referee Joshua Brookland “a great choice” by challenging Josh Thomas as he began to fall but staunchly denied going in with any malice.

“It was a straight red card for me,” said Richards. “The lad (Danks) went down and put out a straight leg. From my view, he stamped on him and that was how the referee saw it.

“He pleaded his innocence but when you play football, if you’re pulling out of something you don’t do it with a straight leg. You pull it up.”