THE manager of Witton Albion’s FA Cup opponents has warned his players that they cannot let their high standards slip if they want to progress.

Spennymoor Town travel to Northwich in buoyant mood after winning four of their past five matches in the National League North, but boss Jason Ainsley insists they won’t take their next assignment lightly on Saturday.

“Witton are really strong,” he told the Moors’ official website.

“They’re unbeaten at home and we’ll have to work really hard if we want to get a result down there.”

His team, then still members of the Northern League, were eliminated from the FA Cup when they lost 3-1 in a third qualifying round tie at Wincham Park seven years ago.

However they completed a double over Carl Macauley’s side when they were Northern Premier League rivals in the 2015-2016 season.

The Moors were promoted that season through the play-offs, coincidentally after beating Northwich Victoria, and have since risen to non-league’s second tier.

Ainsley added: “I’ve been there many times over the years and it’s a tough place to go.

“We’ve done our homework though as any good side does, and had them watched twice.

“They got a draw against Gainsborough last weekend which is no mean feat, and we should know given that they were our nemesis in this competition last season.

“We’ve got to approach the game in the right way, and I’m sure that we will do.”

He expects to have everybody available, save for attacker Kevin Hayes who has joined Marske United on a month-long loan.