Dave McNabb reckons Warrington Rylands’ Pitching In Super Cup heartbreak proved the perfect preparation for his players ahead of their hotly-anticipated crack at the Northern Premier League.

Rylands were hit by a late quickfire double last weekend as FA Trophy champions Hornchurch beat the visitors – who lifted the FA Vase after toppling Binfield at Wembley in May – 3-2 at Bridge Avenue.

The new non-league season curtain-raiser was the first of its kind and saw McNabb’s men travel to Hornchurch – who compete in the Pitching In Isthmian League Premier Division – to duel it out for the inaugural Pitching In Super Cup.

Rylands were promoted from the North West Counties League last term and host Leek Town at Gorsey Lane for their Pitching In Northern Premier League opener on Saturday.

And McNabb said: ”I thought it was a really good day - we knew it was going to be a tough game and Hornchurch are a fantastic side.

"There's no better test [for the new season]. We’ve played some really good sides this pre-season - Liverpool and Everton Under-23s, Fylde and now Hornchurch, so it's a brilliant test. We’re now ready to go into the league.

“We went into the game with a few players missing and had to try and change our shape to try and accommodate the players we had available.

"The first half I thought they were by far the better side and kept the ball really well. Ultimately the way that the kept the ball in the first half probably won them the game because we were so tired second half.

"But the lads worked their nuts off, did really well and kept in the game when it was tough. It was a little bit unfortunate at the end – I thought it we were the better side for half an hour in that second half.”

The idea of bringing the pair of non-league champions together was powered by Pitching In – a multi-million-pound investment programme set up by Ladbrokes, with the support of owner Entain.

Stephen Milne and Joseph Coveney both netted for Rylands but two last-gasp goals from prolific striker Liam Nash – last season’s FA Trophy top-scorer – and Sam Higgins broke north-west hearts in Essex.

Rylands capped a memorable campaign last term by adding FA Vase glory to their North West Counties League promotion.

McNabb insists spirits couldn’t be higher among his players but is wary of the challenges that await ahead of Saturday’s opening game.

He added: "We’re obviously riding a bit of a crest of a wave from last season - but that doesn’t count for anything.

“We’ve got no points on the board when we start next week.

“Everything is all about getting that three points on the first weekend."

Ladbrokes, with the support of its owner Entain, has launched a multi-million pound investment programme, Pitching In, designed to support and promote grassroots sports. For more details see: https://entaingroup.com/sustainability/pitching-in/