WARRINGTON Town boss Stuart Mellish blamed Saturday’s FA Cup defeat to Workington on ‘a bad day at the office.’ Yellows were given a tough draw in the first qualifying round, and duly slipped to a 3-0 defeat in Cumbria thanks to goals from Josh Calvert, Jake Simpson and Scott Allison.

After reaching the second round proper two years ago, Town have now exited the competition at the first hurdle in each of the past two seasons.

“We just didn’t turn up,” said Mellish.

“We started very slowly; the first half was really disappointing and we told the lads that at half-time.

“The second goal just before the break killed us though.

“Karl Wills let one slip through his hands but we won’t blame him – he’ll save more shots than he’ll let in this season.

“We picked up in the second half, but left ourselves too much to do.

“It was a bad day at the office; we wanted a good run in the cup, but we’ve just got to focus on the league now.”

They resume the Northern Premier League season this Saturday, when Ilkeston visit Cantilever Park.

And Mellish thinks an early cup exit could help them make further progress up the Premier Division table.

“We’re in a good position,” he said.

“I think we’re only five or six points away from third place.

“If that was offered to us this time last year then I’m sure a lot of people at the club would have taken it.

“Ilkeston are a good footballing side who get the ball down and play.

“They’ve got a connection with Nottingham Forest that allows them access to some good young players.

“We can’t worry about them though; we’ve got to focus on ourselves and, if we are on it, I’ve no concerns about us dropping points.”

Town currently sit 14th in the table with seven points from their first half-dozen games.

Unlike in the professional game, there is no transfer window so clubs are free to bring in players until March.

Mellish says he is keen to bring some fresh blood into his side.

“I am looking at one or two players to possibly come in if we can get deals done,” he said.

“We are always looking to improve on the pitch.

“I’m working to a tight budget, but I’m always on the lookout for a player that can come in and improve on what he have.”