BOSS John Snape reckons Worcester City’s phantom goal could have proved decisive against Long Eaton but had “no complaints” over a last-ditch defeat.

Ruben Wiggins-Thomas slotted home the winner four minutes from time as United pinched a 1-0 victory from the scrappiest of contests at the Victoria Ground.

City’s performance was well below par but in truth, United were not much better and the tables might have been turned had Liam Lockett’s 63rd-minute far post finish stood.

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Lockett was flagged offside despite footage showing he had been behind three Long Eaton defenders and the goalkeeper when Kyonn Evans lifted the ball into his path and positioned more than a yard onside.

But as unhappy as Snape was with that call, he backed the decision that led to Long Eaton’s winner and acknowledged City had not been at the races.

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“I think it had a draw written all over it, even though we scored a great goal,” said Snape.

“It was so disappointing, he was that far onside it was hard to believe. We had that at Stourport Swifts in another tight game earlier in the season and had we gone one up we would have been in the ascendency.

“The penalty was of our own making, Sam cannot foul him there. Their lad was going nowhere but that will be a learning curve for him because I thought he was outstanding other than that. The silly mistake tarnished that a bit.

“I did think there was a foul in the build-up to that but I would do.

“A draw would have been a fair result, both sides worked really hard but lacked a cutting edge in the right areas and at the right times.

“It has been a problem for a while. We made chances but I think confidence is a bit low in the likes of Kyonn Evans, Jordan Harrison and James Lemon. Lockett still has that little bit in there.

“James Baldwin, Ethan Moran and Kyonn were probably guilty of passing it in areas where they should be shooting and that was down to belief, something I am to get back into them when we go again on Tuesday.

"Our quality in the final third was not good enough, we fell short and had no complaints. That is four defeats on the trot which is unacceptable at any level of football and something we need to remedy very quickly.”

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A tepid display made for a flat atmosphere at the Victoria Ground, although sections of the crowd stayed behind to applaud a home side that kicked off with all 10 outfield players aged 23 or under.

“We didn’t have a shouting match in the dressing room but there were some words about where we need to be for the rest of the season and beyond that,” added Snape.

“There was a lack of experience out on the pitch aside from Sam Gilder but they go out there together, they warm down together, they go into the bar for food together.

“Over the games we have left I expect to see that togetherness.

“The crowd were behind us all the way but I could feel the disappointment more than anything which was a shame.”