WORCESTER City hotshot Dave Reynolds insisted he would hold no grudges against Coventry United’s Lewis Rankin over the overzealous challenge that had his team-mates fuming.

Leading scorer Reynolds had the last laugh as he added the final touch to a 3-0 win at Victoria Ground on Saturday, completing a brace that brought up his 21st goal of his maiden season with City.

In a match that featured a fair number of robust-but-fair challenges, Rankin’s somewhat broke the mould as he flew full pelt into the back of Reynolds on the halfway line right under the nose of referee Ryan Williams.

Many City players remonstrated with Williams in the aftermath but the man on the receiving end was in more forgiving mood and remains happy to take the rough with the smooth.

Asked if he felt Rankin should have been dismissed, Reynolds replied: “I don’t really know. Speaking to the lads, Hughesy (joint-boss Lee Hughes) said it was a definite red card because he took me around the knee.

“To be honest, I saw him coming and knew if I got rid of it quickly I could buy us a bit of time. That sense probably prevented me from getting seriously hurt but I didn’t think it was malicious.

“It was just a tackle and one he had to make. If he hadn’t his manager would probably have been having a go at him. There are no hard feelings, I could have got hurt but it happens, you get back up and brush it off.

“You probably get kicked a bit less at this level because the players tend to have that extra quality and know where to be. They are closer to you in the first place to get in a tackle.

“When you play lower down, they are more likely just to kick you because they don’t want to chase you.”

On the match itself and breaking the 20-goal barrier, Reynolds added: “It was three points and happy days.

“I am always pleased to get on the scoresheet but the win is always the most important thing and we move on to Heanor on Wednesday where we can hopefully take another three points to try to catch those above us.

“I went in at half-time a bit disappointed. I had three opportunities and hit the target with them, the keeper made some good saves.

"I got the assist early in the second half and the ball dropped nicely in the right area to take the chance a few minutes later.

“It was nice to put on a bit of a performance for the fans, get a couple of goals and a clean sheet. It was a good feeling all round.”