SHAUN Reid has told league leaders Northwich Victoria their real 'cup final' will be facing his Warrington Town side.

The Yellows' title rivals lost 3-2 at Northampton Town in the FA Cup second round on Saturday – having led 2-0 with seven minutes remaining – and next face a promotion-chasing Spennymoor side Warrington beat 1-0 at the weekend.

Chris Gahgan's goal was enough to claim a fifth victory against one of the league’s current top eight for Town, who face Vics in January.

“We’ve played most of the current top eight teams and beaten them, which is something we have failed to do in past seasons,” said Reid, whose side sit second in Evo-Stik NPL First Division North.

“I don’t think Vics have played the top teams yet – it’ll be like two FA Cup finals when we meet.

“They’ve got two tough away games this week on the back of a disappointing FA Cup result. You’re 2-0 up, you think you’re going through, and then disaster.

“We can only look after our results, but you don’t know how that loss is going to affect them.

“It’s heading towards being an exciting season and we’re not the only two who'll challenge. Spennymoor will be up there, while Burscough and Ossett are on good runs.”

The Yellows head to Prescot Cables on Saturday, looking for a fifth clean sheet in a row in the league.

“Hopefully the conditions will settle down by then and we’ll look to continue our league form,” added Reid.

“Without playing mesmerising football we did a job on Saturday.”

That job was a 1-0 win that made it 11 victories in Warrington’s past 12 league games.

“It was a proper tough game,” explained the boss. “They are probably the best side we’ve faced this season, both on paper and the way they performed.

“I don’t like conceding goals so that was a result I enjoyed. We’ve gone a lot of matches without conceding which at any level is phenomenal.

Warrington Guardian:

Chris Gahgan nets the winner against Spennymoor. Picture: John Hopkins

“Then we’ve got goals in our team with (Ciaran) Kilheeney, (Ben) Deegan and (Chris) Gahgan. He’s been a real find for us.

“He’s come back for pre-season and worked his socks off. It shows if you really dig in you can get the results, and Chris has proved that.”

With regular number one Karl Wills absent, Town were boosted by the loan of 20-year-old Louis Gray from Premier League Everton.

“The young lad from Everton who played in goal made two world class saves,” said Reid.

“Karl told us early on he was away and we had a couple of keepers in mind, but Everton were magnificent and the club have formed a good relationship with us.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to them, they were brilliant with us during the FA Cup run last year and they’ve helped us with an exceptional young keeper.

“Louis came in and settled well, he is set for a big future.”