A TITLE showdown with Northwich Victoria on Saturday week is more important to Warrington Town than their FA Cup clash with Exeter.

That is according to manager Shaun Reid, who knows the encounter could be crucial to Yellows’ chances of gaining automatic promotion from Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North.

Town famously beat League Two outfit City in front of a packed house, and the BBC Sport cameras, to reach the FA Cup second round in December 2014.

It was Yellows’ best ever run in the competition, but Reid’s focus – and that of chairman Toby Macormac – since his arrival has always been on taking another step towards the dream of becoming a Football League club.

“It’s going to be the biggest game, bigger than the Exeter game for me, and you think what that meant to the town,” explained Reid.

Warrington, who beat Clitheroe 5-2 on Saturday, are level on points with Jim Gannon’s Vics but have played three more games.

However, the January 16 meeting at Cantilever Park will be the first between the title rivals this term.

“It’s a massive game in the whole realm of the season and that’s what we have said to the players,” added Reid, who has watched Warrington’s title rivals on several occasions this season.

“In the big games they have to step up to the plate and we’ve got a pretty good record against the top five teams.

“We’ve taken six points off Clitheroe who have taken four off Vics, so the stats say we’re not a bad team and on the day they will be looking at us too.

“We’re in it to pit ourselves against the top sides and prove we are as good, if not better.”