Trophy exit will make task tougher says boss

While there will be less fixtures for Saints, Wilkin believes some of the momentum the club gained from their good run in the competition in recent seasons will have an impact on the league form.

Wilkin said: “Others may think differently but I think it will make our task of getting into the play-offs more difficult. It was a difficult one to take and I feel our season has got a whole lot harder going out of the competition.

“We’d built up a lot of momentum in recent seasons from doing well in this competition and I think that helped us in our league games.”

It doesn’t get any easier for Saints who are on the road for four consecutive games and, following that run of fixtures, Wilkin will be better placed to assess his side’s promotion credentials. Saints travel to Blyth Spartans on Saturday and three days later head to Farsley Celtic. Then Saints head to Guiseley before the rearranged midweek fixture at Boston United.

Wilkin said: “We have a tough run of away games coming up now and we have to learn from losing at home as we did on Saturday and to take that into these away fixtures. We’ve got four long trips coming up.”

Carl Baker and Dan Holman are still sidelined, Jimmy Armson and Luke Fairlamb have slight knocks but should be fit for Saturday’s trip to Blyth Spartans.