CARETAKER boss John Snape admits Worcester City must combat play-off chasing Chorley’s aerial threat in tomorrow’s Vanarama National League North trip to Victory Park (3pm).

Relegation-threatened City picked up a point from a 1-1 home draw against Curzon Ashton last Saturday but their defence was unlocked by a free-kick.

And the former Hereford United midfielder says City’s defence must be prepared to deal with crosses into the danger area from a direct Chorley outfit who are sixth in the table.

“Chorley are good at home and very direct,” said Snape.

“They do well at keeping teams pinned in and recycle the ball very well.

“They are very strong from set-pieces and I was disappointed with our defending last weekend because we conceded from a free-kick.

“Being able to defend free kicks and set-pieces will be very important and we will have to be better at that than we were last weekend.”

City are 19th, three points above Gainsborough Trinity who occupy the final relegation spot with four matches remaining.

However, second-from-bottom Stalybridge Celtic have given themselves hope of escaping the drop after back-to-back wins against promotion hopefuls Fylde and Kidderminster Harriers.

They are now just five points behind City with a game in hand.

“Obviously we were pleased with a point last Saturday but with Stalybridge winning against Kidderminster it has closed the gap,” said Snape.

“For them to have beaten Fylde and then picked up three points against a very impressive Kidderminster side has turned it into a three-horse race at the bottom.

“It’s that time of the season when clubs are fighting for their lives. It’s been a long season so fatigue comes into it while nerves may also come into the equation.”

Versatile player Junior English has returned to training after a hamstring problem.

But midfielder Danny Jackman has a slight strain and experienced defender Andy Gallinagh is doubtful with a neck problem.

“Junior is making decent progress, trained very lightly on Tuesday night and did OK so we will be watching to see if he has a reaction,” said Snape.

“Danny has a slight strain while Tom Sharpe is raring to play but Andy hurt his neck and saw the chiropractor on Tuesday. He’ not been able to train this week so he’s a doubt at the moment.”

The Magpies recorded a slender 1-0 victory over City at the Victoria Ground in August but Snape is drawing confidence from Worcester’s battling performance at Chorley in February 2015.

Tristian Dunkley scored twice and Mike Symons was also on target as City battled to a point from an entertaining encounter at Victory Park.

“We went up there a couple of years ago and got an excellent result which should give us confidence going into this game,” reflected Snape.

“It’s going to be a bit of a bobbly pitch, like at Bromsgrove, so we will not be making any excuses. But we will have to go up to Chorley and make sure we manage the game.”

Meanwhile, key Kidderminster Harriers pair Arthur Gnahoua and Elton Ngwatala will have fitness tests ahead of their National League North home game with Boston United tomorrow (3pm).

Winger Gnahoua and midfielder Ngwatala have missed the last couple of matches along with impact player Liam Truslove.

Harriers’ 1-0 defeat in midweek at lowly Stalybridge damaged their title hopes but they can still help cement a play-off spot with victory over 15th-placed Boston.

The versatile Ashley Carter is back after a four-match ban for his second red card of the season.