1874 NORTHWICH should use their heartbreaking FA Cup exit as motivation for a strong run in the FA Vase, co-manager Wayne Goodison says.

Tuesday’s 4-2 defeat at Abbey Hey, which came after Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Widnes, was their fourth game without a win since their penalty shoot-out loss to Ossett Town earlier this month.

Since then, Goodison and fellow co-manager Paul Bowyer have seen their side slip in the North West Counties League Premier Division’s relegation zone, albeit having played far fewer games than their rivals.

Attention turns back to cup matters on Saturday for their trip to Irlam in the first round of the FA Vase, kick off 3pm.

Goodison rebuffed suggestions his side have “a hangover” and believes their FA Cup experience could work in their favour in the Vase.

However, he was clear about the areas in which 1874 need to improve in order to progress.

“With any cup competition, you want to do as well as you can,” he told the Guardian.

“We have to try and get through a few rounds and see what happens.

“From a player’s point of view I think that, having had a reasonable run in the FA Cup being disappointed with the opportunity we missed out on, they will use that as a motivator on Saturday.

“I don’t think there’s any sort of mental or physical hangover from the cup, for us it is just small details are costing us.

“We’ve just switched off and been sloppy in a few areas, it’s just a little bit of concentration that we need to do better with.

“Irlam play with a real spirit and energy, but I think that will suit us. That’s how we try to play.

“We’re under no illusions, we’ve got to go there and be better in certain areas.

“If we do that, we feel we can cause them some problems if we do as well as we can.

“It’s got the makings of a really good cup tie.”

Goodison and Bowyer saw their side get off to the worst possible start on Tuesday, falling 2-0 behind inside the first 10 minutes before seeing Paul Connor sent off for a reckless tackle.

Adam Whitlock and Scott McGowan scored to drag 1874 level, but the hosts pulled away to win late on.

“Tuesday was the first game all season in which we didn’t start well,” Goodison said.

“We were completely off the pace in the first 10 minutes and conceded two really poor goals where we didn’t get tight to people.

“In the last three games, we’ve been really good for large portions.

“We’ve played well, but in the Widnes and Congleton games we’ve stopped playing for the last 15-20 minutes and against Abbey Hey, we didn’t play for the first 15-20 minutes.

“That is what’s costing us at the moment.”

Ahead of Saturday’s game, Goodison says injured duo Lee Jackson and Danny Meadowcroft would be given every chance to prove their fitness.

Jackson and Meadowcroft have been struggling with neck and back injuries respectively.