Northwich Vics 2 Scarborough Athletic 3

NORTHWICH Victoria boss Jim Gannon hopes a loss on Saturday will ‘sharpen the mind and bodies’ of his side as they bid for promotion via the play-offs.

Vics were beaten at home by Scarborough Athletic, despite taking the leading at half time thanks to an Iain Howard goal.

Quick-fire Ryan Blott and Gary Bradshaw efforts put the visitors ahead and Tom Corner scored the winner after Richie Bennett had levelled for Vics.

Gannon’s side are virtually assured of a play-offs spot with three games remaining after rivals Mossley and Spennymoor dropped points.

“We just have to simply brush ourselves down and get back to basics for the coming games,” said Gannon.

“The results were very kind to us with play-off rivals Mossley and Spennymoor both losing. We are still in the same position we were in before the game knowing that third place is ours to grab.

“So perhaps if there was a day to be off colour it was Saturday, and in some way the game will help sharpen the mind and bodies back to what's needed for success.”

However, Gannon was disappointed with the application from some of his players – conceding twice in three second-half minutes and again with six minutes to go.

“Scarborough worked hard as a team and their front players were a constant presence and outlet for them,” he added.

“Eventually their good work paid off and they got a deserved equaliser, and they went on to capitalise on mistakes to take three goals and all three points.

“When the game opened out a little I felt we started to see some weakness in the fitness, the positioning and understanding of some of our players and that was a real disappointment to me.

“I expected some players to adapt better to the demands of the game and unfortunately we were left with a few weak performances that you can ill afford in such a competitive game.”

Vics: Deasy (GK), Ali, Grayson, Clarke, Henry, Cook, Krou, Roddy (Fishwick 65), Burnett (Sanogo 60), Bennett, Howard. Subs not used: Meadowcroft, Smith (GK), Smalley.