MARK Danks saw red as Worcester City lost against the side that had kicked off the afternoon bottom of the table. 

It was an off-colour display from City from the off while the bristling hosts belied their lowly position by crunching into challenges and pressing fervently. 

Worcester were a goal down when Danks tangled with Shawbury goalscorer Josh Thomas in the 26th minute. 

Thomas rolled as he went down with referee Josh Brookland deeming Danks had stamped on his opponent. 

And while City levelled through Alex Tomkinson, a well-taken goal by Steve Faux five minutes before the break ultimately settled matters with the second half proving a low-key affair. 

After a scrappy opening, Shaebury led on 16 minutes.

Ross Jones caught Alexandru Albert in possession on the left and galloped into space, pulling back to Thomas to lash in via a deflection off the sliding Tom Fishwick.

Danks pulled the trigger but cleared the crossbar within a minute of the restart but his afternoon was soon cut short following the Thomas incident. 

City laboured going forward but got back on level terms eight minutes before the interval when Albert was left free to clip a ball over the top for Lee Hughes to chase.

The ex-West Brom striker’s first touch saw him briefly get the better of James Askey and while the loose ball was picked up by United’s Jeff Watkins, Tomkinson pinched it back and rifled low to keeper Ian Havard’s left.

But the joy was short lived as a half-cleared free-kick dropped for Faux to cushion a crisp low volley to Tom Palmer’s right and restore Shawbury’s lead.

City changed shape at half-time, going with a 3-4-2 with wing backs and started the second half brightly without concerning Havard.

Jamie Smith threw himself at a Faux blast and played no further part while Worcester kept up the pressure without creating much.

Home captain Sean Evans just cut out a swinging Hughes cross with Sarmento waiting to pounce but the next best chance came at the other end with Faux’s long throw headed over from eight years by the free Jones.

Worcester substitute James Baldwin lashed high and wide as the clock ticked down and then contrived to lift over the bar when free six yards from goal.

There was no late flurry, though, and Shawbury grabbed a shock but deserved triumph.

Shawbury: Havard, Taylor, Evans, Lloyd, Askey, Faux (K Cooper, 81), Jones, Watkins, Cullen (Wells, 85), Thomas, Robinson (Worthington, 88). Subs: Ellis, D Cooper.

City: Palmer, Fishwick, J Smith (Mole, 57), Albert, M Smith, Hayward, Sarmento (Baldwin, 68), Birley, Birch, Hughes, Danks, Tomkinson (Reynolds, h-t). Unused subs: Griffiths, Gwynne (g/k).