WINSFORD United host two sides battling against relegation in three days as they bid for a first win eight league games.

They host Barnoldswick in a rearranged league fixture tomorrow, Thursday, kick off 7.45pm, before AFC Blackpool visit Barton Stadium on Saturday.

Rob Byrne’s side were beaten at home by tenants 1874 Northwich on Monday in the North West Counties Premier Division, stretching a winless run to eight games in all competitions.

Kyle Riley had put the hosts ahead in front of more than 500 people at Barton Stadium, but three goals in 16 minutes either side of half time saw 1874 take the points.

Matthew Ware, Mike Brandon and Dilan Lomas netted for the side sitting third, while Blues, 12th, remain on course for a bottom-half finish.

Blues had the best of the early chances on Monday, with Sam Marshall’s shot being saved in the first minute and Eli Mitchell’s 40-yard effort almost catching Matt Conkie off his line.

Danny Egan then latched on to Alex Byrne’s through ball and found the net, but was flagged offside.

Brandon went close from Paul Connor’s cross, but it was Blues who opened the scoring.

Byrne’s free kick found Riley at the back post and he headed past Conkie on 18 minutes.

But five minutes before the break the visitors struck back when a Lomas long throw was only cleared as far as Ward and the former Blues man struck low into the corner.

And Blues headed into the break behind when in the final minute of the first half a miss-hit Brandon strike from a corner looped over several defenders and into the net.

It took 11 minutes of the second half for 1874 to double their lead, again from a set piece, when a corner from the left was converted by Lomas from close range.

Chris Lunn went close for the visitors on the hour mark, firing over with just keeper Conor O’Keefe to beat, but Vics held on for the win.

Blues: O’Keefe (GK), Byrne, Baker (Wilshaw), J Jones, Eiselt, Ellison, Marshall, Hammond, Riley, Egan, Mitchell (Seol). Subs: Rothwell, Wareing, Devaney.