MANAGER John Snape vowed to address the "naïve" slips that saw Worcester City grounded by a late sucker punch in Saturday's 3-2 opening-day defeat at Boldmere.

City threatened to steamroller their opponents with last season's top scorer Dave Reynolds stroking home with ease from Liam Lockett's through ball three minutes in.

Openings came and went and Worcester paid the price midway through the first half when Jason Holmes hustled Jordan Stoddart and with new keeper Dan Jezeph out of the picture, Stuart Capaldi netted through a mass of scrambling defenders.

Jordan Harrison shaved the top of the bar for City as the match became more open but Boldmere led three minutes before the break when Andre Carvalho-Landell darted across, beat the offside trap and drove through Jezeph from a tight angle.

Reynolds smacked the near post in first-half stoppage time and while City stayed on the front foot after the interval, chances were at a premium with the Mikes looking more dangerous on the break.

Jamie Smith glanced in a headed equaliser across goal from a near-post corner with 10 minutes to go and Worcester looked likely to push on from there.

Harrison hit the ground holding his face while vying for a long Luke English throw. Much to the ire of City fans behind the goal referee Luis Martin was unmoved and there would be a sting in the tail.

More than 93 minutes had been played when Boldmere broke straight through the middle with Ryan Shaw's drive creeping agonisingly through Jezeph's grasp.

“We were guilty of missing a couple of half chances before the goal and then dominated for the next 15 minutes," said Snape.

“A mix-up between the keeper and Stodds led to the equaliser which was disappointing and to add insult to injury, the second goal came from not tracking the runner.

“Boldmere locked up after that. They set out their stall very tightly in the back eight positions and made things difficult, we couldn’t make as many chances as we had been.

“Jamie Smith popped up with a header from a set play and then I felt Jordan Harrison got punched in the face in the box. I could not see why the referee did not give it.

“Still, you have to play until the last minute and we got caught with a punt up the pitch.

"My centre-half and left-back have not dealt with the ball and none of the other defenders or midfield players have stayed with one runner.

“Picturing the goal in my mind, I think they only had two people in our last third. Their second goal was scored with one person in our box.

“They are things we will have serious discussions about, especially as we have conceded nine goals in three games. I am disappointed with that no matter who the opponents are.

“We will be addressing that, the defending was a bit naïve at times.

“On a positive note we made chances, more than Boldmere but just didn’t put them away. That is another area to look at."