Wilkin expecting much tougher test

Saints romped to a 4-0 victory at Curzon Ashton back in September but Wilkin knows they will be a different proposition in Saturday’s return Vanarama National League North clash. The Nash remain in the lower half of the table but have picked up again in recent weeks.

Wilkin said: “I can see how Curzon have picked up recently, they are one of the in-form teams.

“They had a reasonable start, tapered off a bit but seem to have found their feet again. Mark Bradshaw has made the changes he needed to make and it seems to be paying off.”

Saints have the second best defensive record in the division and much of that is down to the central duo of new signing Thierry Audel and skipper Gaz Dean which means another defensive addition this term, the experienced Kelvin Langmead is having to bide his time.

Wilkin said: “It’s been a frustrating time for Kelvin [Langmead] since he joined us but the two central defenders have been so consistent. Thierry Audel has done everything and more that we expected from him, he’s formed a good partnership with Gaz Dean.

“Our goals against record is excellent, you can’t fault what those two and the group have done so far. You are always looking for players to form good partnerships and those two have.”