JOINT-boss John Snape refuted talk of disciplinary problems at Worcester City despite “silly” dismissals in back-to-back matches.

Former professionals Mark Danks and Wayne Thomas received straight red cards in two outings that saw City pick up one point out of six against struggling Shawbury and South Normanton.

The issues arose during matches in which Worcester suffered some robust challenges but while Snape acknowledged there had been some “funny” decisions along the way, he was quick to quash theories over bigger names receiving harsh treatment from match officials.

“I don’t think discipline is a problem at all,” said Snape. “We have people who want to win and have probably been guilty of silly red cards.

“The reason they played at a higher level was because of their professionalism so it was disappointing to have lads sent off in consecutive weeks.

“I still think it happens in games, though. Lots of people get sent off, it is a part of the game now.

“It did hurt us on Saturday, I make no bones about that. Can it be stopped? I think it can.

“I spoke to Lee (Hughes, joint manager and player), I think he got fouled 18 times in the South Normanton game.

"He was not at his best, something he was aware of, but you have to look at the protection he had. On another day, one or two of their lads would have been off.”

Asked whether he felt well-known players had been treated differently, Snape replied: “I don’t know. Refereeing is one of the hardest jobs in football, if not the hardest because you can never make everyone happy.

“There were some funny decisions on Saturday but it was not the referee’s fault we missed chances. He had to make a decision on something he saw and he acted on it.

"If there is contact in those situations then there is contact, you cannot do it.”