JOINT-boss John Snape admitted the decision to rest top scorer Dave Reynolds backfired on Worcester City.

The 12-goal hotshot began yesterday’s 2-1 defeat at Shawbury United on the bench with Snape conceding it had been one of many factors responsible for City’s setback.

“Dave has played a lot of games and done really well for us,” said Snape. “He came on with a view to us changing shape in the second half but it (his omission) kicked us in the teeth.

“We missed Dave, he worked his socks off and we will look at what to do ahead of next weekend.

“We started sloppily. They got at us, we took too many touches in the wrong areas and did not match their desire. It was as simple as that.

“We changed the shape for the second half to try to have a go at them, we limited them to few chances and missed some sitters.

“There were some good opportunities to score from inside the 18-yard box but we missed the target.”

Meanwhile, Snape argued the dismissal of frontman Mark Danks had been pivotal.

“There was a coming together, it looked like his foot was high and their kid was on the floor,” said Snape of the first-half flashpoint.

“I felt there was a foul on Josh Sarmento maybe 20 seconds before but you cannot take away the fact the collision should not have happened. Mark’s first touch let him down and the next thing you knew he was sitting in the stands.

“It was an in area where he did not have to foul but it happened. I am disappointed for him and for us, it cost us dearly.

“You know what you get with Danksy, we knew that when we signed him. He is a magician when he’s on song and on the ball.

“It happened that quickly, I could not tell whether there was any malice but I will be speaking to Mark because I don’t want that. If it was malicious it will be dealt with accordingly.”