WORCESTER City's caretaker boss John Snape remains positive the club can beat relegation from National League North despite Saturday's demoralising 3-0 defeat at Harrogate Town.

A difficult week for the Blue and Whites that saw talisman Lee Hughes depart the Victoria Ground and the entire squad put up for sale was capped off by a toothless display in North Yorkshire.

And although his team were comfortably dispatched by a Harrogate outfit that didn't have to get out of second gear on the day Snape backed his players to come out the other side of what he described as a "tough" period.

"We should be looking to stay in this league definitely," he said.

"A couple have moved on this week but I hope we've got a fighting chance going forward with these players.

"It's a tough time but the effort and commitment was there on Saturday. Harrogate were worthy winners but we stuck at it and stuck to our jobs."

Although Snape conceded his game preparations took place in less than ideal circumstances as the club revealed their financial plight just 24 hours before kick-off, he didn't feel matters off the pitch had too much of an influence on his charges' performance on it.

"I think we started quite well but we conceded a sucker goal," he added.

"We finished the half OK-ish, there were no real chances for either side. Harrogate were on top but we stuck in there.

"I think there's a push on the second goal. Junior English gets two hands in the back but the ref hasn't seen it or hasn't given it and the kid scores.

"For the third goal, we just went a bit gung-ho. We weren't great but we stuck at it until the end."

In a contest where they struggled to make any real impression as an attacking force, it took until the 56th minute for City to muster a shot at goal and they only managed two efforts on target all afternoon.

Asked whether he felt his side lacked penetration, Snape said: "I totally agree.

"That final ball has let us down and it probably has all season in the final third.

"We needed that little slide through with the right weight on it but instead we ended up checking out and crossing it and it takes the impetus out of the attack.

"We've got to work the goalie more to be fair."

One bright point in an otherwise disappointing 90 minutes for Worcester was West Bromwich Albion loanee Chay Scrivens' brief cameo off the substitutes' bench.

Snape added: "One positive for me was young Scrivens. I only gave him 10 minutes but Danny Jackman and I were talking after the game and maybe he's worth a start next weekend.

"He's looked electric and has got no fear."

City winger Micah Evans followed top scorer Hughes out of the exit door on the eve of the game by joining Altrincham on a free transfer.