GOING out of the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy has done Steve Wilkes a favour.

For the Padiham manager now knows what he needs to make sure his troops remain a driving force in the North West Counties Second Division.

Since Tuesday's Trophy exit at the hands of last season's Second Division champions Colne, Wilkes has been on a mission to boost his ammunition.

"If we had taken our chances against Colne it would have been a different game. But they were the better side and deserved to win, so that's shown me what I need to do," the Storks boss said.

"If anything, it's been a kick up the backside for me.

"If you look at our promotion rivals like Cammell Laird and Silsden, they've got some prolific strikers.

"My leading scorer is Stuart Telfer, who's got 11, but has been playing wide right.

"I need a centre forward who's going to get me 20 to 30 goals a season.

"Although they've done really well to get us where we are, at the moment I don't think my strikers will score 25 goals between them.

"So it's my job, as Padiham manager, to rectify that."

Meanwhile, Wilkes has urged his side to be prepared to battle when they entertain Flixton tomorrow.

"They are a typical Manchester side who like to be rough and ready so we need to match them," he said.

Rob Batty needs a fitness test while Craig Chadwick is unavailable due to work commitments but Micky Charlton is available after missing Tuesday's game.