JOINT-boss John Snape insisted Worcester City’s players must shoulder equal responsibility for defensive duties after another afternoon under the spotlight.

City’s backline was subjected to an aerial bombardment at times during Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Shepshed Dynamo, a match in which the hosts were pegged back having led 2-0.

Snape’s team mustered three clean sheets to kick off the season but just two more shut-outs have followed in the next 11 outings in all competitions.

That has led to increased scrutiny of the back four and goalkeeper but Snape argued clean sheets would need to be earned by all 11 men.

“People keep harping on about the defence but it starts with your front men, that’s where you defend from,” said Snape.

“After that, the discipline needs to be there in midfield and the backline shuffles where it needs to. It is no different anywhere else, starting positions are important when you’re defending.

“We have probably been guilty of giving away set-plays in our own third but again we have defended them resiliently like we have in most games.

“We’ll see what the next week holds. There will have to be some changes, there were some tired legs out there but the lads showed character to go and get that win.

“When you take account of the conditions and the adversity of Lee Hughes and Josh Sarmento needing to come off when we were really on top and threatening, it was good to see us battle through and push for the win in the end.”

City host Coventry Sphinx tomorrow night (7.45pm).