MIDDLEWICH Town can take heart from a promising derby display against Lostock Gralam in midweek.

But Ross Speight has called on his players to be more clinical in front of goal when they travel to Cheadle Town reserves in the Cheshire League tomorrow, kick off 3pm.

“I was encouraged by what I saw on Wednesday,” said the Witches’ co-manager.

“But we need to sharpen up in front of goal; we created a lot of chances, and ought to have taken three points.

“We need to take that performance into this weekend, but make sure that we punish teams when we have an opportunity.”

The Witches went close through Sam Wakefield, Jamie Petrie and Mike Whitehead before the Grey Lambs settled.

And the Northwich outfit, who won both League One meetings between the teams last season, set themselves on a course for another victory when Jack Baker steered in Sean Tierney’s cross.

Middlewich restored parity early in the second half when Jamie Petrie picked out new recruit Mark Adamczyk at the back post.

They prompted Lostock goalkeeper Jack Burton to make a series of saves afterwards, but could not eke out a decisive second goal.

Tim Beresford and Rory Gorton, recruited from Egerton since the end of last season, also made their first appearances for the club on Wednesday.

A double for Tom Brain the following evening was not enough for Middlewich’s second string to avoid a 3-2 defeat at home to their Moore United counterparts in the Reserves Division.

They host Vulcan’s reserves tomorrow afternoon.