PAUL Bowyer has urged 1874 Northwich’s players not to let up after storming through September.

The carrot to tempt them is a place in the FA Vase first round should they beat Wigan Robin Park on Sunday, kick off 2pm.

“We want to keep this run going for as long as possible,” said the assistant manager, who will be in charge this weekend with boss Ian Street away on holiday.

“The lads are feeling confident, enough to believe they can win every game.

“They’re prepared to battle and get in people’s faces, because if they do that then they know they have the football ability to beat most teams at this level.

“It’s something we didn’t do often enough last season, particularly in the important matches against our main rivals.”

1874 have won six of their past seven games, drawing the other, in all competitions to earn the North West Counties League Premier Division Club of the Month prize.

They have conceded a single goal in the same period.

However their latest signing from Mossley, Kevin McGrath, is a defender.

With Danny Thomas likely to be unavailable, the former Maine Road stopper could make his debut at Barton Stadium tomorrow.

“Kevin is an experienced player at this level,” said Bowyer.

“He’s a big, strong guy who will give us a physical presence at the back.”

Wigan, relegated from the league’s top flight last season, occupy 13th place in Division One.

They have won only once away from home, but Bowyer will warn his side not to let slip a chance to progress in a competition they exited at the first stage last time around.

He added: “We’ll be expected to win, and are big favourites.

“That brings with it a responsibility to make sure we continue to do the things we’ve done well over the past few weeks.

“It would be a shame to put in a performance like we did against Runcorn Linnets, only then to lose in the cup against a team from a lower level.

“The pressure is on us, and I expect them to fight as hard as Oldham did against us in the previous round.”