KEEPER Nathan Vaughan will “only get better” after making his long-awaited return to action for Worcester City, insists caretaker boss John Snape.

Vaughan made his first appearance since rejoining the club last month in City’s 2-1 defeat to Brackley Town in National League North on Tuesday.

But the 35-year-old, who replaced young stopper Ethan Ross, was beaten by Lee Ndlovu’s looping header in the first two minutes.

After a Tyler Weir penalty levelled Vaughan conceded a second on 68 minutes when Matthew Barnes-Homer slotted home.

But Snape was pleased with the keeper's efforts and believed he gave City’s defence “more confidence”.

“Nathan has been out for a while and since he has come back Ethan has kept his place due to his good performances,” Snape said.

“We decided to change it around which was always the plan. To be fair to Vaughany he was a bit rusty.

“But he helped give the back four a bit more confidence in terms of the way he talks as he is an experienced keeper and will only get better.”

Vaughan is a popular figure among fans having played a key role in their FA Cup exploits in 2014 and 2015.

But Snape has challenged West Brom loanee Ross, who has made 26 appearances this term, to reclaim the number one shirt.

“Nathan is very experienced and a City favourite,” Snape continued. “I am glad he is back at the club and playing.

“Nathan and Ethan will play a big part between now and the rest of the season. They have got to as we have no one else coming in.

"I am looking forward to seeing them both scrap it out for that number one shirt and keep clean sheets for us.”

City are on an 18-match winless streak in the league and have not shut out a team in more than two months when they drew 0-0 at Alfreton Town.

“We still haven’t won and conceded two goals at home — that’s disappointing,” Snape said. “I want to keep a clean sheet and once we do I think we will win games 1-0.

“We aren’t doing it but we will get there and have got seven games left to make sure we do. Everyone wants it in the dressing room.”

City’s clash at second-from-bottom Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday (3pm) has been moved to Altrincham.

The pitch at Celtic's Bower Fold is deemed “unplayable” by club officials so the match will now be at Moss Lane where City lost 2-0 to Altrincham last month.