Preview: UNITED v Northwich Victoria

Allan: Keen to impress against old club

United outlook: Manager Paul Simpson seems to have headed off fans' disquiet over his tenure, following two wins in two games. The return of Kevin Gray has had a positive effect on the team's morale and they looked much more secure at the back, with rookie keeper Kieren Westwood pulling off a brilliant penalty save against Accrington Stanley last weekend. Up front, Karl Hawley's 15th goal of the campaign should help restore his confidence levels. Derek Holmes his hoping he can create a goalscoring partnership with Hawley, following his first goal in a blue shirt against Stanley. On-loan left back Chris Beech has come in from Doncaster to replace injured-again Tom Cowan. He did a sound job against Accrington and should retain his place for Saturday.

The opposition: Northwich are playing OK and really are a better team than the table suggests because they have a 10-point penalty for being in admin. Having said that, they lost 3-0 at Tamworth last week so we really ought to turn them over. They are currently one point above the relegation zone with a game in hand.

Danger man: Ex-Carlisle striker Jonny Allan. Allan didn't play many games for CUFC but looked competent and has come on a bundle since then. Scored a cracking goal against us in season's first encounter. He is Northwich's top scorer this season with 14 goals.

Prediction: UNITED 2-1 Northwich. Vics will make it tougher than Stanley did last week, but improving United will keep up the play-off surge.