1874 Northwich need to avoid a slow start when Nelson visit, according to assistant manager Paul Bowyer

The Admirals won both fixtures, scoring inside the first five minutes each time.

Avoiding a similarly slow start will be a priority for the in-form hosts at Barton Stadium, particularly if they want to extend a 13-match unbeaten league run.

“We’ve a point to prove,” said 1874’s assistant manager.

“Nelson are probably the best side we’ve played since the club was formed, but we didn’t help ourselves in the games against them last season.

“We need to be ready, because if we’re not then they have players who can hurt us.

“Defensively, we’ve been strong this time around but overall I think we’re a stronger team now than in those two matches.

“We need to be brave enough to go at them, something we’re better equipped to do with a deeper squad this time.”

1874 haven’t lost to anybody since bowing out of the FA Cup after a replay to Prescot Cables on September 2, a period in which they have played 16 times in all competitions.

They continued that sequence with a 4-2 home success against Rudheath in the Mid Cheshire FA Senior Cup on Tuesday.

Bowyer said: “Confidence is really high at the moment, but the challenge is to maintain those high standards.

“We’ve probably been lucky once or twice in games recently when we’ve played well only to then let teams back into games.

“It’s about making sure we keep that focus, because even if things are not going according to plan we still have players who can win matches for us.

“To be fair that’s not happened in the big games, which we’re pleased about.”

1874 kick off this afternoon’s contest 14 points adrift of leaders Runcorn Linnets, but with five games in hand.

However Nelson are one of the Premier Division’s form teams, winning in five of their past six outings.

“That’s the same as our record,” said Bowyer.

“They haven’t yet have closed the gap after a sluggish start but Nelson have the quality to finish inside the top four, I’m convinced of that.”