STEVE Wilkes has warned Northwich Victoria’s players he will not tolerate a repeat of their surrender during a 5-1 defeat at Ashton Athletic on Tuesday.

They conceded three times in the game’s final six minutes.

“We threw the towel in,” reflected Vics’ manager.

“What’s most disappointing is we started the game well and went ahead.

“I’ve said already that I don’t think these lads are fit enough, but to lose in the way we did when the score was 2-1 after 84 minutes isn’t down to their physical condition.

“That happens when people down tools.”

It means Vics travel to in-form Irlam this afternoon without a win in any of their eight previous North West Counties League games.

They occupy a place in the table’s bottom four as a result.

The former Padiham boss has continued to make changes, and has recruited full-back Daniel Johnson from Mossley in time for him to feature today.

A second arrival, attacker Oscar Durnin, is available too after completing a switch from Ashton United.

That takes to seven the number of signings Wilkes has made since replacing Paul Moore in the dugout last month.

He added: “The honeymoon period is over now.

“I said I would give everybody a chance, and I stand by that.

“I don’t care if guys have been here one week or one year; we have to start winning games, and I’ll change things if I think it improves our chances of doing so.

“I’m reluctant to overhaul everything straightaway because people are getting to know each other and trying to gel as a side.

“They’re slowly getting to grips with what we want from them, and that’s something that will develop every time we play.

“Before anything else we want to get Tuesday out of our system, and quickly.”