ROSS Speight hopes a derby with Lostock Gralam can be a catalyst for Middlewich Town to start climbing the table.

The Witches need a change in fortune after failing to win any of their past half-dozen matches in all competitions.

That sequence continued with a 3-2 defeat at home to Daten on Saturday.

“They watched us at the weekend and probably saw a few things that would concern them,” said the co-manager.

“Then again, they certainly will have been encouraged as well.

“Our previous meetings with them have been end-to-end with both sides playing good football.

“It’s a derby, and both teams will want to dominate.

“We’re fierce rivals on the pitch, and there will be strong tackles going in.”

Middlewich shared eight goals with Lostock in a JA Walton Challenge Cup encounter in September, only to bow out after a penalty shoot-out.

The Grey Lambs had won 3-2 at Seddon Street in Cheshire League One the previous month too.

Town missed twice from the spot at the weekend, firstly when goalkeeper Dave Ellis stopped Chris Lunn’s kick.

A goal from Ross Dryden established an interval lead for the visitors, only for Michael Evans to restore parity on his first appearance since returning from Greenalls.

Mike Leigh and Adam Campbell both netted for the visitors before substitute Jordan Bennion’s penalty was parried by Ellis.

Another replacement, George Hopkins, reduced the Witches’ arrears with eight minutes left.

Speight said: “Poor finishing and bad decision-making cost us dear.”

Kick off at Park Stadium on Saturday is 2pm.