CARL Macauley believes Witton Albion can progress again in the FA Cup this Saturday, but has warned his players against underestimating opponents Stalybridge Celtic.

Their guests, who play two levels higher, occupy a place in the National League North relegation zone after losing nine of 11 matches this term.

However a new management team, recruited from neighbours Ashton United a fortnight ago, will make them a more unpredictable foe.

“Their players will have a point to prove,” said Witton’s boss.

“I know the guys who have gone in there, and they’ll get their side up for this game.

“We’ll be ready for them though; we’ve had them watched a couple of times and we’ll make sure we know all about them.

“We’re playing at home and will have our fans right behind us, so anything can happen.”

Albion made it to the second qualifying round after despatching in-form Buxton last time out.

They will also kick off the contest still at the table’s summit in the Northern Premier League’s Division One South following a 1-1 draw with fellow fast-starters Romulus at the weekend.

It ends a sequence of six successive wins in all competitions, although Albion remain unbeaten in the current campaign.

Macauley added: “We fully deserved to beat Buxton in the last round, something their manager agreed with too.

“It’s important for everybody connected to our club that we have a decent run in the FA Cup.

“The players are spurred on by hopefully playing against a Football League side if we can make it through enough rounds, while there is of course a financial incentive for us to go as far as we can as well.

“We’ve really hit the ground running this season, and hopefully we can carry that on.”