NIALL MCGUINNESS insists Flint Town United can’t afford to slip-up against teams they are expected to beat if they are to maintain their title challenge.

And tomorrow’s trip to eighth placed Conwy Borough almost certainly falls into that category for the Silkmen, who slipped five points behind leaders Prestatyn after losing 2-1 at Colwyn Bay.

Flint’s last defeat - at the hands of Prestatyn in October - was followed up by seven successive league victories, and boss McGuinness is looking for something similar.

“That would be very nice,” said McGuinness on the possibility of another winning run.

“It would be great to get on another run, especially after ticking off two of the stronger teams in the second phase of the season in Rhyl and Colwyn Bay.

“But it’s important to win the games we are expected to win. You look at Colwyn Bay, they beat us and then drew 4-4 with Conwy on Tuesday.

“Those types of results cost you and it’s important that we don’t do that, we have to beat the teams we are expected to beat.”

McGuinness was at Llanelian Road on Tuesday as Conwy scored three times in the final eight minutes to hit back from 4-1 down to earn a point against the Seagulls.

“It was clear to see their strengths and weaknesses,” said McGuinness, who led his team to a 5-3 home success over the Tangerines back in August.

“They are good going forward, as they were at our place, but they leaked goals, which was the same again on Tuesday.”

Mark Cadwallader could be handed his first start in over a month after recovering from a hamstring problem as he looks to return to the top of the Cymru North goal chart.

Conwy striker Corrig McGonigle and Prestatyn midfielder Rob Hughes have overtaken Cadwallader, who asked team-mate Richie Foulkes to let him take penalties - like his golden boot rivals.

Asked whether Cadwallader stood a chance of claiming spot-kick duty, McGuinness declared: “That’s not happening!”

Chris Li and Dom McHugh are set to return to a Flint squad, which is set to be without Kyle Smyth and Brandon Burrows, while Tom Kemp is a doubt.

Conwy first team coach Chris Morrell reckons his side will be better for Tuesday night’s draw with Colwyn Bay.

He said: “From our point of view to give away the goals we did to such a good team has to stop, but massive credit to everyone in the squad as to show that fight and heart to get us back in the game, is something that will only help us down the road.”

Craig Hogg’s Colwyn Bay have home advantage once again tonight as they entertain relegation threatened Llangefni.