STEVE Wilkes has reminded his players that a run in the FA Vase is an important stage in a rebuild he has started at Northwich Victoria.

They travel to Prestwich Heys, lower-ranked opponents that play in the North West Counties League’s First Division North, for a second-round encounter on Saturday.

And a five-goal thrashing of Cammell Laird to get that far is a template, according to the Vics manager.

He said: “That’s the approach we’ll need again.

“It’s even more important we repeat that because we’re away from home and our form on the road hasn’t been good.

“Prestwich will be up for it, but it’s a massive occasion for us as well.

“I’ve said it previously this season; the FA Vase is a competition that gives us an opportunity to get people excited about the club and might persuade them to have a look at what we’re doing.”

Vics make a short journey to Manchester bruised by a 3-1 defeat at home to Congleton last weekend.

That followed a victory in a penalty shoot-out against former landlords Barnton in midweek to reach the Mid-Cheshire FA Senior Cup last four.

Wilkes’ men had twice enjoyed a two-goal lead only for the Villagers to fight back and level at 3-3.

Before that, they had won five successive matches in all competitions while scoring 15 goals.

“Our work-rate has been fantastic over the past few weeks,” said the former Padiham boss.

“But we’ve not carried on those good habits in the past couple of games.

“We played quite well in the first-half against Congleton, and they were perhaps fortunate to lead at half-time.

“However our performance in the second-half was atrocious.

“It’s shown to me that we’re not quite there because we’ve been beaten by a side that’s up there where we want to be.”

A head-to-head with Prestwich is an opportunity to get back on track.

And theirs is a side that includes plenty of names that have played for Wilkes at one of his former clubs, including defender Mark Ayres who started the current campaign at Wincham Park.

He’s hoping it gives him an advantage.

“It can go the other way as well,” he said.

“I know them, but they’ll want to put one over on me to prove a point.”

If the teams cannot be separated after extra time on Saturday, then a replay follows next Wednesday, kick-off 7.45pm.