STEVE Lloyd has urged Barnton’s players to use last weekend’s FA Vase success as a spur to improve their league form.

The Villagers head to West Didsbury & Chorlton on Saturday hoping to end a sequence of six matches without a win in the North West Counties League top flight.

However they make the short trip boosted by a 5-2 victory against Harworth Colliery, from the Central Midlands League, in a first qualifying round tie.

“We’re desperate to use that result as a springboard,” said Lloyd.

“Hopefully we can gather momentum in our league campaign.”

Barnton occupy 18th place in the Premier Division after nine games.

However a side bolstered by the arrival of newcomers Liam Baker and Arron Kirk, from Winsford and 1874 Northwich respectively, is hoping to move clear of the bottom three.

Kirk, along with Chris Smith and Lee Vaughan, was on target in extra time last Saturday after the teams shared four goals in 90 minutes.

Lloyd said: “We can be positive about many aspects of the game; our attacking play was more decisive than it has been, and we worked hard to keep possession better.

“It was good to see the lads move the ball more quickly and switching play to good effect.

“Our standards dropped in the second half, but in a cup competition it’s the result that matters. We’re delighted to be through.”

A trip to Ashton Town, a rival in Division One last season, awaits at the next stage on Saturday week.

The Villagers have another busy weekend before then with Hanley, another side promoted from the second tier, due as guests on Monday, kick off 7.45pm.