STEVE Davis has fired a warning shot to anyone failing to take Nantwich Town seriously this season.

The Dabbers boss has given central defender Steve Jardine his marching orders after he dropped out of Saturday's impressive 4-0 win at Maine Road hours before kick-off.

Davis says that Jardine, pencilled in to start in the game, informed him by text message that he was unable to make the kick-off due to work commitments. The manager has already moved swiftly to bring in ex-Stone Dominoes man Nick Ward as a replacement.

Davis is demanding 100% commitment from all of his players while they begin to do the talking on the pitch.

He said: 'We shall cancel Steve's registration. He let himself and his team-mates down.

'This is a different Nantwich Town. A lack of commitment cost us last season, and that will not be allowed again. There is no place for attitudes like that here.'

It is a problem unlikely to rear its ugly head too often as members of the Dabbers squad will all be desperate to maintain places in a team which is playing some attractive football and getting results.

After the opening day success over Bacup, the 4-1 defeat at Skelmersdale on Tuesday did not provide a fair reflection on proceedings. Maine Road were the victims of a backlash on Saturday.

Goals from James Marrow, Matthew Blake, Adam Beasley and Danny Griggs set the tone for a performance which will have raised a few eyebrows among followers of Division One.

A Nantwich second string will play Cheadle in the Cheshire Senior Cup tonight, before the FA Cup preliminary round game against Gresley Rovers at Jackson Avenue, at 3pm on Saturday.

Davis hopes that a big crowd will be there to spur his lads on.

He said: 'For Crewe fans, Southampton is a long trip so I would urge them to come and have a look at us.

'We are playing good, attacking football. I was pleased with the way we responded from the defeat against Skelmersdale, and hopefully we can cause Gresley some problems at the weekend.' * Nantwich Town Reserves continued their promising start to the season with a 2-0 home win against reigning champions Skelmersdale. With the exception of a 10-minute spell in the second-half, The Dabbers dominated. Goals in each half from Roberts and Bailey sealed the win. * Nantwich are holding trials at 6.30pm tonight at Jackson Avenue for players aged 17 or under on September 1 who would like to take part in their FA Youth Cup campaign. RS200805Football-002 LIFE SAVER: Alsager's Richard Mitchell (left) earned his side a second chance in the FA Cup. Here he tussles for possession with Winsford's Dave Chambers. SHOWN THE DOOR: Steve Jardine. TJ110805NANTFC-029 WARNING: Steve Davis. TJ110805NANTFC-036