STEVE Lloyd has demanded a show of strength from his Barnton players as they attempt to collect enough points to secure their spot in the North West Counties League’s top-flight.

They lost 4-1 at Hanley in midweek, a fourth Premier Division game without a victory.

And the Villagers’ consolation, scored by James McShane, was their first in five hours of football.

It leaves them 11 points clear of the Premier Division’s relegation zone with eight games left.

However the manager told the Guardian he does not want to enter the final 10 days of the campaign, which starts with a home game against 1874 Northwich, still unsure of their status.

“We’re in control and only we can lose it,” he said.

“But the last thing we want to do is go into the last week or so of the season needing to still pick up points.

“We need to keep working hard, and show we have the character to bounce back.

“We were on the wrong end of a poor refereeing decision [at Hanley], and it’s true it knocked the stuffing out of us.

“For the next 10 minutes or so, we lost our head and allowed it to affect us.

“That’s disappointing; it’s easy to criticise an official, but we have to show a bit more heart than that.”

A trip to Irlam on Saturday will require exactly that.

The hosts have won four of their past five games, including a 2-1 victory against promotion-hopefuls Runcorn Town.

They also saw off Winsford on Monday.

Lloyd said: “Irlam are a good side, and it’s typical of our luck that we go there when they’ve found their best form again!

“They like to play the game the right way, and so do we.

“That’s why it’s important to apply ourselves the way we know we can. If we do, then we’ll be a match for them.”

Wide man Josh Crofts returns to the squad after recovering from a knee injury.

However young attacker Jonny Jones will not play again this term after having surgery this week.