ROSS Speight says it is important Middlewich Town avoid a repeat of mistakes they made last weekend when they resume their Cheshire FA Amateur Cup campaign.

The Witches head to Witton Albion reserves on Saturday, when a quarter-finals place is a prize for the victors.

However they can ill-afford for complacency to affect them in the same way it did during a draw with FC St Helens when they conceded twice inside the final five minutes to surrender a 3-1 lead.

“We thought the job was done,” admitted Speight.

“That’s something we all have to take responsibility for because we should have seen the game out and didn’t.

“There are no second-chances in a knockout game, and we have to learn quickly.”

Middlewich start a meeting with their lower-ranked hosts, who play in the Crewe and District League, as clear favourites to reach the last eight.

Their reserves have beaten Albion’s second string already this season, albeit narrowly, in a district cup tie.

However the men from Seddon Street will make a short trip to Moss Farm with a depleted squad.

Influential midfielder Geoff Basford is suspended, while captain Sam O’Sullivan hasn’t featured since a 2-0 win against Poulton Royal in the previous round after hurting a knee.

Defensive duo Dean Burgess and Sam McKay were also missing through injury last weekend.

Speight said: “It’s true that we had to shuffle things around last Saturday, but I think we still showed there is quality and depth in our squad because we still created chances.

“While our priority this season is to be promoted, this remains a competition we want to do ourselves justice in.

“As I’ve repeated previously, we’ve unfinished business with the county cup after going out against sides that have gone on to reach the latter stages in each of the past two years.

“We want that to be us this time, and we have an opportunity to do that.”

Kick-off on Saturday is 1.30pm.