CARL Macauley has called on his players to “improve again” when Witton Albion travel to Trafford later seeking a first league win of his tenure.

They have lost three Division One North fixtures since he replaced Scott Dundas as manager, part of a longer sequence of six successive league defeats.

However they travel to Shawe View, where they were victors in an FA Cup tie in August, following a 4-0 win in the Mid-Cheshire District FA Senior Cup in midweek.

Macauley said: “It was important for us to score a few goals, and also to keep a clean sheet.

“I picked a strong side, because we wanted to get through, and our reward is a semi-final encounter with Northwich Victoria.

“And every time we get a positive result, it helps the lads.

“Trafford will be difficult opponents, particularly as they’ve been on an improved run recently, but I’ll be looking for us to improve again as we have done in the past couple of matches.”

A 3-2 win against Burscough in the Integro Doodson League Cup was followed by a 2-1 reverse on home turf when Prescot visited Wincham last weekend.

It leaves Witton three points above the relegation zone.

Macauley was boosted in midweek by the return of midfielder Tom Schofield following a three-match ban.

However defensive lynchpin Scott Lycett has returned to former club Sutton Coldfield Town following his release last night, Friday.

Attacker Liam Davies has returned to parent Tranmere Rovers after a month-long loan stay too.

“We knew it was going to be tough when we came in and players would be moving in and out,” added Macauley.

“There was a lot to sort out, and sadly there is no quick fix for doing that.

“We’re working hard to get things right, and we’ll continue doing that.

“Slowly we’re seeing a better team spirit, and numbers are up at training – we had more than 20 there on Thursday.

“That’s an improvement on what was happening previously.

“We’re using that time to continue helping the players understand what we want from them.”