MARK Gardiner is planning to utilise a squad rotation system as Northwich Vics' Conference season steps into full gear.

The boss is guaranteeing nobody a place, especially as the return of centre back Steve Davis from injury presents him with the right kind of selection problem.

Davis, who was advised not to play because of fluid on his knee on Saturday, was denied his Greens debut at Kingstonian.

But even if he doesn't return, team changes are already planned for the Bank Holiday Conference programme, which begins with the visit of Morecambe on Saturday (3pm) and continues at Hereford United on Monday (3pm).

Gardiner's changes are going ahead despite his side's impressive performance on Saturday, holding the FA Trophy winners for 89 minutes before being beaten by a penalty.

Gardiner said: "That was a little confidence booster. We did very well, but didn't get anything from the game, which is annoying.

"We did enough to achieve a draw, which we would have have accepted before the start, but it wasn't to be.

"Changes will be made because I'm approaching each game individually. The buck stops with me and if I think that's the way we should go, we'll go that way.

"On Saturday, I played a bit more defensive to combat their wing backs, which we did really well."

The penalty which won the game for Ks led to the sending off of Mark Bailey, but it was events leading up to the incident which displeased the Vics manager.

He added: "I'm not complaining about the penalty decision, but what I spoke to the referee at great length about was the fact he gave three corners which led up to it.

"Two were definitely goal kicks, and the Kingstonian players and fans knew that. I thought the referee buckled under the pressure.

"I'd be clutching at straws to complain about the sending off, although people might think a penalty is sufficient punishment. But if it happened to an opposition player I would expect it, so I won't argue the toss about that.

"They had a couple of players missing, but we were easily as good as them on Saturday. But I'm not making any predictions about what we're going to do this season."

Aginst Telford United on Tuesday, however, it was a different story as Vics failed to score their first goal of the season in a scrappy encounter at the Drill Field.

Former Vics man Chris Malkin got the only goal, heading in from close range after six minutes.

He marred his match winning heroics in the 40th minute, however, when he elbowed Gary Burke in the face and received his marching orders.

Neil Ellis came closest to equalizing with a left foot drive which hit the post in the 78th minute.

However it wa Lance Key's agility at the other end which prevented the score being more than 1-0.

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