CRAIG Davis will be looking for his Winchester City side to get their attacking mojo back at Paulton Rovers on Saturday in the Evo-Stik South West.

Unusually for the Citizens, their final ball was lacking in the New Year’s Day derby at home to AFC Totton as they had to content themselves with a 1-1 draw against nine men.

“Quite simply our quality in the final third with our crosses and decision-making was not good enough and that is what ultimately cost us the three points when we obviously had all of the ball in that second half,” said Davis.

“We had already taken (Adam) Tomasso off to bring an attacking left-back on and also took Joe Hayward off to bring IK on and push Willo (Dan Williamson) back to full-back.

"This meant we kept getting it wide and (making) overlaps and stretched the game, but we just couldn’t deliver the crosses we needed which, by us scoring, would have opened the game back up.

“We defended well enough, Totton didn’t trouble us at any stage, and our approach play was good, but it was that final ball that let us down.

“On the day, it didn’t happen for us.”

Although full of praise for the way nine-man Totton defended, Davis felt the referee got both red card decisions correct.

Totton are convinced the second, dished out to Ian Oliver for his high challenge on Joe Hayward, was never a straight red, but Davis said: "I thought it was. It was a lunge and Joe came off with a high stud mark on his leg. It was more of an impact injury than anything and he should be okay for the weekend."

Winchester have a score to settle with Paulton, having lost there 1-0 in the FA Cup and been pegged back by a late equaliser for a 1-1 home league draw.

“We haven’t much joy against them so far this season,” said Davis.

“They’ve just signed a new striker, Omar Simpson, from Taunton and their goalkeeper (Andy Hannah) is suspended, so they’ve signed Asmir Begovic’s brother (Denis) on loan from Bristol City.

"That’s not a bad pedigree to have! The clubs down that way are lucky to have such good links with Bristol Rovers, Bristol City etc.”

Winchester's only absentee is left-back Danny King, who is still sidelined with a bad ankle.