SAMMY McIlroy has just about got over the crushing 4-0 defeat at Chesterfield last Wednesday, and is now seeking to build on the performance at Port Vale on Saturday with further success against fellow strugglers Oldham this weekend.

Although the Hatters still prop up the League One table, on Saturday they welcome an Oldham side who are without a victory in eight games, and who have gone an amazing 11-and-a-half hours without scoring a goal from open play.

At least County have only lost two games in their last seven, but manager McIlroy continues to look for further improvement in the battle steer clear of the drop zone.

He said: "It's a big game for everyone against local rivals, but we got some pride back at Port Vale although we've got to start turning these performances into victories.

"I'll be looking for an even better performance against Oldham, certainly anything like Chesterfield can't happen again, we know that.

"We've got to get off the bottom sooner rather than later, we've got to be on our toes.

"We've been too inconsistent this season, but I know we've got players who are up for the challenge and are capable of getting us out of trouble.

"Oldham's front-man Jermaine Johnson is sure to be a threat, but again we've got players who can snuff him out."

McIlroy's squad will be a little bit stretched this weekend following Derek Geary's departure last Friday, Jon Daly's loan move to Grimsby, Danny Adams' suspension and Chris Williams' injury, but another meeting with Cheshire Sport owner Brian Kennedy is in the pipeline shortly when strengthening will be discussed.

McIlroy added: "I'm hoping to have another word with Mr Kennedy in a couple of days to see if we can do anything.

"The squad's being pushed to the limit a bit now, we're nearly into using the kids so we've got to be careful.

"But I don't think there will be any movement before weekend."

McIlroy added: "We also need to find out what's happening with Luke Beckett, but I know Mr Kennedy will offer him the best deal he can."

Daly made the switch to Grimsby for a month from last Friday, and promptly scored on his debut 24 hours later despite a 2-1 defeat at Chester.

Young front-man Williams injured his lateral ligament early in the game at Port Vale - his first start of the season - but thankfully the damage was not as bad as first feared and he should be back in the reckoning in around 2-3 weeks.

Midfielder Mark Robertson (hamstring) remains on the injured list, but he is hoping to resume training later this week and could return for the home game against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday week.

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