In 1945 the club joined the Northern League. They reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in 1948–49, losing 5–0 to Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road. The following season saw them finish as Northern League runners-up and reach the first round of the FA Cup again, this time losing 3–0 at Stockport County. After finishing as runners-up again in 1950–51, a season in which they did not concede a goal during their home league matches, the 1951–52 season saw them win the League Cup with a 1–0 win over Tow Law Town in a replay, finish as runners-up for the third consecutive season and reach the FA Cup first round for a third time, losing 5–0 at Scunthorpe & Lindsay United. They won the Northern League for the first time in 1956–57, a season which also saw another FA Cup first round appearance, resulting in a 6–1 defeat at Carlisle United. The following season they reached the first round again, losing 5–2 at Boston United.