WARMINSTER Town boss Andy Crabtree says his side’s league form is far more important than any potential cup exploits following a 3-2 victory over East Cowes Athletic in the FA Vase at the weekend, writes JONATHAN LEIGHFIELD.

Crabtree’s men secured their progress into the second round courtesy of a Charlie Walton brace, with the eventual winner coming from Jack Miluk, despite a late barrage of pressure from the Isle of Wight outfit.

Following a nervy victory at Weymouth Street, Warminster were once again drawn at home – this time against Portchester Town.

Crabtree said it would “certainly be an upset” if his side managed to progress again on November 2, but has targeted an end to conceding ‘sloppy goals’ in Toolstation League Division One as that is how they will be judged in the long run.

Crabtree said: “We’ve got Portchester, who are near the top of their league, so that will be a really tough game.

“Hopefully we can cause an upset – and it certainly would be an upset because they will come here expecting to beat us.

“It depends on how we apply ourselves, but more importantly, we have league games coming up and they are our bread and butter.

“We need to knuckle back down in the league and get some points on the board because we’re judged on where we finish in the league, not how we do in the FA Vase.”

Warminster have played four league games at their Weymouth Street home this season and are yet to claim a single point.

As a result, Crabtree’s side are languishing in 16th in the table.

And the Warminster manager was quite frank in his analysis surrounding why his team have not picked up any points on their own patch so far.

“We haven’t played well enough – it’s as simple as that,” said Crabtree.

“The Vase game was a welcome distraction because we can’t buy a win at home in the league.

“When we’re at home, we keep conceding sloppy goals, and when you do that, it puts you under pressure.

“We seem to be our own worst enemies.

“Hopefully we’ve turned a corner now and we can kick on.”

Elsewhere, Toolstation Premier side Bradford Town also secured their safe passage into the second round thanks to a 1-0 win at home to Lymington Town.

Matt Morris struck in the first half before Lymington were reduced to nine men late on.

The Bobcats’ divisional rivals Westbury United are out after they lost 1-0 at home to Badshot Lea.

Hellenic League Division One West team Malmesbury Victoria also saw their Vase run ended following a 5-3 defeat against Roman Glass St George.