NORTHWICH Victoria went out of the Macron Cup 'with a whimper' says manager Steve Wilkes.

The Trickies boss, who was steaming after the midweek exit from the FA Vase at the hands of lower division Wythenshawe Town, was also left disappointed by the 2-0 home loss to Runcorn Town on Saturday.

He said he needed 'dogs of war' who could 'roll their sleeves up' and although he felt he got some reaction in the early stages at Wincham Park, it didn't last.

They were looking to try and put things right in time for tonight's North West Counties Premier League clash with their neighbours Winsford United but with that game now being postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, their next outing will be at Avro on Saturday.

"It wasn't good," he said.

"Things have got to improve.

"We're letting everybody down - letting the fans down, letting me down, letting themselves down, letting the club down.

"We changed one or two things and I thought the first 25 minutes we did ok.

"Then we went a goal down, missed a very good chance to go one apiece and Harvey Whyte came on and had half a chance and then Craig Cairns, who ran my two centre halves ragged all afternoon, got his rewards."

It wasn't only in his selections that Wilkes made changes.

Jack Dorney, Rob Henry and Robert Doran came into the starting line-up, with Jamie Reed and Whyte dropping to the bench and Tom Kilifin missing out altogether.

And while new loan capture from FC United of Manchester Dylan Blackledge was among the subs, there was a change of shape too.

"We just thought we've been a little bit stale at 4-3-3," said Wilkes, after his side lined up at 4-4-2.

"We were very successful with it last year, so it's my job to try and change things and in the first 25 minutes I thought we did ok.

"Then we conceded a sloppy goal from a corner and from then on we were chasing the game.

"Runcorn Town are a very physical side.

"They play the percentages and we didn't pick them off like we should.

"We had a very good chance from a Saul Henderson header from two or three yards out but the keeper made a good save."

Confidence is low after a poor run of results that leaves Vics without a win in four outings.

"I've been in this position many times before in my career as a manager and we've got out of it," said Wilkes.

"It doesn't happen overnight, you have to work hard.

"I said to the players after Saturday that the could have got beat 5-0 but if they'd have worked really hard, closed people down and did their jobs then I wouldn't say anything.

"But we haven't done that. We've gone out with a whimper. That's two competitions in a week now, so we'll try and improve."

Wilkes will be available to answer fans' questions next week.

A 'Meet the Manager' night with fans' Q&A will be held at Wincham Community Centre on Thursday, November 21, starting at 7.15pm.

All fans are welcome.