PAUL Moore saw familiar shortcomings during Northwich Victoria’s goalless stalemate with Stamford on Sunday, but he remains optimistic a change of fortune will happen soon.

For now, he is still without a win since replacing Adam Lakeland in the dugout.

“A draw was fair,” he reflected.

“We lacked penetration, but with a little more composure might have nicked three points.

“Overall I’m happy with the way the lads stood firm and battled for each other – they worked extremely hard.

“We’ve two games in hand on the teams directly above us, and our goal difference is better than theirs.

“Nine of our remaining games are at home, and I believe we’ve a real chance to put something together.

“Certainly a couple of good results will give us a lift.”

Play-offs hopefuls Leek, one of Moore’s former clubs, are their guests tomorrow, kick off 3pm.

Vics ended end a run of three successive defeats in the Northern Premier League’s Division One South last weekend, leaving them five points adrift of a position of safety.

They are boosted by the return of John Pritchard after he recovered from a calf injury.

Godwin Abadaki is back in training too after a long-term absence with a shoulder complaint, and could feature at Gresley next Saturday.

Leek have slipped out of the top five following back-to-back defeats against Basford and Bedworth.

Defender James Curley is banned for the trip to Northwich, but former Witton Albion back-marker Darren Chadwick is available again after completing a suspension of his own.

New recruits this week, Francino Francis and Jon Beaumont, are available for selection.