WHEN the chips are down, teams often rely on their experienced players to get them out of trouble.

However, in Worcester City’s case, Danny Jackman admitted it had been their youngsters who have stepped up to the plate for the Vanarama National League North strugglers.

With Lee Hughes, 39, and Tom Sharpe, 27, unavailable due to injury and illness respectively and with Wayne Thomas, 36, and Deon Burton, 39, on the bench, City started with a largely inexperienced side at AFC Fylde last weekend.

New captain Jackman was the oldest player on the pitch as 18-year-olds Shaun Donnellan and Ethan Ross made up a side with an average age of about 22.

The 33-year-old, who has made more than 300 appearances in the Football League, said he thought he would have a job on his hands to inspire his burgeoning team-mates.

But in the end City’s young guns burst into a 2-0 lead before two-goal 23-year-old Daniel Nti sealed a stunning 3-2 victory at Kellamergh Park.

“It was really nice to get a win and I thought the lads conducted themselves really well,” Jackman said.

“We have got a lot of young lads but we all pulled together, especially with what has gone on in the last few weeks with the results not going for us.

“We have done really well, so hopefully the lads will grow. It has been good to have young guys around as they have been a breath of fresh air.

“As an older experienced player, you want to try to help them out. But at the minute they are doing it all themselves.”

Jackman was partnered in midfield by Donnellan and the skipper said he had been impressed by the on-loan West Bromwich Albion teenager.

“As there were various players who were unable to get to training last week, we didn’t know anything about the team until we got named together,” he said.

“So, considering that, I think we gelled really well.

“You forget how old Shaun is sometimes but the problem is you can probably expect a little bit too much from him at times. I thought he grew into the game.”

Jackman admitted it felt like a “cup final win” after beating Fylde but added the hard work had just begun as they prepare to face North Ferriby United at Aggborough on Saturday (3pm).

“Everyone was buzzing,” he said. “So we need to bottle that feeling of what the changing room was like and try to remember it for this weekend.

“Spirits should be high, so we need to keep the tempo high and the confidence up.

“We should be looking forward to our next match and hopefully we can go and get another positive result.”