LEE Duckworth has warned his players must step up to the plate if they want to stay at Barton Stadium.

The new Winsford United boss was disappointed with his side’s collapse during the second half of a 5-0 hammering at Maine Road last weekend, though they did recover to beat AFC Liverpool 48 hours later.

“The lads know what is expected and they owe the club more,” said the player-manager.

“When I took the job, it was because I have a firm belief in this group of players and believe our league position has been a false one over the past few weeks.

“However it’s time for them to perform.”

Duckworth says he will add to Blues’ squad, but has also called for patience while implementing his preferred style of play.

He said: “There are already reinforcements on the way, and that will continue until I think the team is at the level we want.

“It will take a while to imprint a way of playing, but anyone who witnessed our FA Vase tie at Runcorn Linnets would already have seen a taste of it - the lads were excellent.”

Blues’ encounter with Squires Gate on Saturday was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

They were due at Ashton Athletic last night, Tuesday, and host struggling Silsden this Saturday.

At kick off yesterday, they occupied 16th place in the North West Counties League’s top flight.