Stafford Rangers acting captain Bobby Wilson has called on the team to fire on all cylinders in the pre-season friendly at Willenhall.

The Blue Square North side almost took a strong Port Vale side the distance in their home game on Saturday, before Kevin Thornton’s sucker punch five minutes from time handed the League Two side victory.

It has been the story of Rangers’ pre-season, in similar manner to defeats at Worcester and Hednesford, which were also decided by the odd goal.

Now Chris Brindley’s side travel to Noose Lane to face UniBond League Division One South opposition tonight (7:45pm), before the second-leg of the Cannock Chase Charity Trophy re-match against Hednesford at Marston Road on Saturday (3pm).

Then the big kick-off looms, the league curtain-raiser at Hyde on Saturday week.

But first things first, with Wilson urging his side to start scoring the goals they have been threatening to in their build-up games.

He said: “We did really well against Vale, they had their first-team out and we played them off the park. Willenhall should be a bit more of a winnable game, hopefully we can start scoring some good goals, which is what we have lacked in pre-season so far.

“It’s all to play for, we have a lot of strong contenders so it should be good.”

The acting skipper was switched from midfield to centre-half on Saturday to partner trialist Andy Owens, who crashed a header against the crossbar in the second-half.

Unattached winger Luke Morgan also started for Rangers and both are likely to be involved again tonight.

Wilson said: “They are very good players and could easily play at this standard, in my opinion.”