NORTHWICH Victoria attempt to become the first team to beat leaders Warrington Town since October when the promotion rivals meet at Wincham Park tomorrow, Saturday.

Adam Lakeland’s men, beaten 2-0 at Spennymoor Town in midweek, start the contest 13 points adrift of the Yellows at the Division One North summit.

The visitors, victors in the return game in January, have won 15 of their past 16 Northern Premier League matches.

Vics will hope to have defensive duo Scott Duxbury and Andy Watson available again after illness, while Abou Sanogo has sat out the past two fixtures with a groin injury.

“We were bitterly disappointed to come away with nothing [on Tuesday] but I take some satisfaction from the effort-levels of the players,” said Lakeland.

“There is no shame in losing to Spennymoor, who are a team going well at present.

“So long as we apply ourselves in the same manner every game between now and the end of the season, we can still finish strongly.”

Stuart Mellish, his counterpart at Warrington, has insisted the result this weekend will not be decisive in the title race.

Witton Albion, frustrated by the postponement of a home date with Ossett Town on Tuesday, are due at Radcliffe Borough.

Carl Macauley’s men are 11 points from a position in the top five, but have not given up hope of challenging for a play-offs place.

Alex Titchiner (knee) is ruled out by an injury, while teenager Chekaine Steele has returned to parent club Port Vale.

That means recent recruits Tom Owens or Chris Noone could make a first start.

Jake Parker, who has recovered from a bug, is an alternative in midfield too.

Hosts Radcliffe, Witton’s conquerors in the FA Trophy earlier this term, ended a sequence of three league defeats with a 2-0 win at Ossett Albion in midweek.

1874 Northwich, buoyed by a 3-0 derby success against Winsford United on Monday, are scheduled to host Congleton Town in the North West Counties League.

Stand-in manager Paul Bowyer will be looking for consistency from the hosts after they won three – and lost as many – of their past half-dozen matches.

Leading scorer Matthew Beadle (groin) continues to struggle with injury, while Neil Chappell (calf) is likely to miss out.

Defender Danny Thomas returns after work commitments prevented him from lining up against his former club.

Visitors Congleton are unbeaten in their past four Premier Division encounters, although they have yet to get the better of 1874 in a league game.

Winsford have plenty of incentive to beat AFC Blackpool after surrendering a lead on three occasions when the teams shared six goals a fortnight ago.

They will also be desperate to bounce back after successive 3-0 home defeats last weekend.

Blues have now gone four games without a win, but are still within three points of the table’s top half.

Manager Lee Duckworth has a full complement to pick from, save for suspended skipper Kyle Riley.

New signing Jonathan Jones, who made an encouraging debut in Monday’s reverse against 1874 Northwich, is in line to support Ryan Mellor in attack.

In Division One, Barnton visit promotion rivals Cheadle Town.

The Villagers are currently second in the standings, three points clear of tomorrow’s hosts.

They will be motivated too after losing the return match in December.

Former Witton Albion manager Brian Pritchard, brought in by interim manager Danny Meadowcroft as an advisor, was in the dugout for last Saturday’s Men United Cup success against Ashton Athletic.