NIALL MCGUINNESS knows Flint Town United must sharpen up in front of goal if they are to thrive in the top-flight.

The Silkmen suffered a second successive defeat in midweek as they followed up a 1-0 loss at home to Barry Town United with a 2-1 loss at Caernarfon Town.

That is only half the story, however. Barry stopper Mike Lewis was named man of the match for his display last weekend, while Flint had around half-a-dozen gilt-edged chances to get something at The Oval on Wednesday.

“We’ve had five or six chances to score,” said Flint boss McGuinness of the Caernarfon clash. “That includes two sitters which we should score.

“We were relentless in creating chances, and it’s important that we stop missing chances, because, as everyone knows, goals change games.

“It’s frustrating, but hopefully we can sort that problem out quickly.”

A trip to Park Hall to tackle The New Saints is next up for Flint tomorrow, and McGuinness knows his side can’t pass up whatever scoring chances come their way.

“We are under no-illusions as to what we are coming up against,” said McGuinness. “The tempo of their play is a level above in terms of speed and intensity, but I’m confident we can cause problems.

“We’ve shown that we’ve got the quality to create chances, it’s just about taking them because we’ve lost our last two games after having enough opportunities to have not just taken a point from each, but won them both.”

Experienced striker Les Davies could be thrown straight into action after signing for Flint in midweek from Bangor 1876.

The 35-year-old former Bangor City, Connah’s Quay and Bala frontman offers plenty of top-flight experience for Flint.

McGuinness, who is still looking to strengthen his playing options ahead of this month’s deadline, said: “You’d expect Les to score goals given the chances we are creating.”

If Davies is called on by McGuinness, he’s likely to go head-to-head with Saints’ defender Ryan Astles.

Centre-half Astles, who has played for Buckley Town and Chester, said: “It’s going to be another tough game.

“They will have watched us and how we play, and they will have a game plan to try and deal with us.

“It’s going to be a tough one, but we will train and then head towards that game.”

Huw Griffiths’ Caernarfon will be looking to build on their success over Flint at Cardiff Met tomorrow, while Penybont, who beat the Archers in midweek, entertain Newtown and Barry Town United make the trip to Park Avenue to face Aberystwyth.