MANAGER John Snape bemoaned Worcester City’s lack of a final touch at Loughborough University – even if it has validated his late transfer business.

City struck the woodwork twice and spurned a host of promising positions in Saturday’s open but snow-hit 1-1 draw at Loughborough University.

Nicky Turton, the scorer of 14 goals in 35 matches for Midland League Premier Division rivals AFC Wulfrunians, and Joel Ambalu, dual-registered with Redditch United, debuted from the bench at the Holywell Sports Complex having signed on Friday.

Neither man could make an impact on the back of James Baldwin and Dave Reynolds enduring tough afternoons but another second-half replacement Mark Danks did get on the scoresheet.

With the business end of the season now well under way, Snape believes that competition for places will serve City well.

“We made opportunities on a tricky surface but didn’t finish them off, it was as simple as that,” said Snape.

“I am glad I have brought in the two lads because when the front two are not quite punching at the level I think they should be it allows you to make changes to liven it up.

“Danksy’s penalty wasn’t the most sweetly-struck in the world but it got us back into the game and after that we were camped in their half bar one breakaway.

“Again, we were guilty of missing great chances but it was always going to be difficult for anyone coming on in those conditions.

"Hopefully, we can get the new lads settled in over the next couple of weeks and get the best from them.

“I hope to get one more over the line before Thursday’s deadline. We would like to be in a position to announce that in the early part of the week.”

Snape also argued Loughborough’s early goal had led to City losing a foothold in the game.

“We said to the lads that Loughborough would be a place where we could go to play good football, we knew they would approach it in the same way as us,” he added.

“They were possibly guilty of overplaying at times and we did not take enough strength from that early on. We did not work them in the right areas or stop them from playing across the pitch.

“In the first half, it made the pitch too big for us to close down the spaces and after the goal it became increasingly difficult for us.

"They locked in a bit more, sat behind in numbers and were hard to break down.

“That said, we had nine corners in the first half, two one-on-ones and did not work the goalkeeper when we had the chance to."