PAUL Moore believes Northwich Victoria have entered a defining period of their season, and reminded his players of the good habits they developed during a three-match unbeaten run last month.

That sequence ended abruptly with a 4-0 hammering at home to leaders Shaw Lane on Wednesday, Vics’ heaviest defeat of the season.

It leaves them still four points adrift of a position of safety at the bottom of the Northern Premier League’s Division One South.

“Our form has been good so the result was hard to take,” reflected the former Colwyn Bay boss.

“We conceded poor goals, and I was really disappointed with the application of some players.

“That’s a shame, because as a group we had a good tussle with them for the first half an hour or so.”

Vics travel to Bedworth tomorrow before hosting Lincoln United in a rearranged fixture on Wednesday night.

A home date with play-offs hopefuls AFC Rushden & Diamonds follows at Wincham Park next weekend.

Moore said: “We’re expecting three tough games, but I’m looking for a minimum of five points from them.”

He has everybody available for selection for a trip to Coventry, including Dave Short.

The attacker was sent off for violent conduct during the second half against Shaw Lane, but his suspension does not begin until after the weekend.

Niall Sultan made his first appearance against the Ducks, while fellow newcomer Jack Kelleher played for half an hour as a substitute in the same game.

They are expected to bring goals to a side that has scored only twice in their past four games.

Bedworth have slipped out of the table's top 10 following back-to-back defeats against Market Drayton and Chasetown.

However their home record is the best in the division outside of the top six.

Kick off on Saturday is 3pm.