NORTHWICH Victoria may have been handed a Nationwide Conference lifeline - thanks to the misfortune of Telford United.

Telford, who enjoyed a great FA Cup run and are in the semi final of the FA Trophy are facing financial ruin after chairman Andy Shaw's business went into receivership.

The club has been saved in the short term with the Football Association agreeing to a package that will see the players defer part of their wages and the club survive on a week-by-week basis based on gate receipts.

The club's directors have also agreed to meet short-term debts and have pledged enough money to see the side play their remaining fixtures this season.

However Telford, who are currently 12th in the Conference, could be wound up during the close season and reformed as a new club playing in the UniBond League.

This could offer some hope to Northwich who may be able to stay in the division by default.

But Vics boss Shaun Teale is warning against relying on this for salvation.

He said: "There are so many things going on at the moment with other clubs that even the club who finished bottom might not be relegated.

"There are so many issues at the moment, but it would be wrong to go down that road as we probably won't know what's happening to any of the clubs involved until the end of the season.

"We've just got to take it on the chin that we haven't been good enough throughout the season."

Of course Teale would be happy to stay up by any means.

He added: "However if we do get a reprieve then we'll take it.

"If not then we'll work hard in the Conference North next year and look to get straight back up."

l VICS' hopes of ending the season off the bottom of the Nationwide Conference were dealt a crushing blow on Saturday when they lost 3-0 to Woking.

Teale is unhappy with the performance shown by his side on the day but remains convinced they are good enough to finish above nearest rivals Leigh RMI.

Speaking yesterday, Tuesday, he said: "To be fair we just didn't perform on the day and the lads now realise that if they drop their performance levels by 10 per cent then they're going to get their backsides kicked.

"On Saturday it was like going back five weeks in time, we didn't play well and we didn't battle hard enough.

"But we've got 15 points to play for and we're eight points behind Leigh.

"We'll just keep battling away and try to beat their performances over the next few weeks."