Rangers boss wants to stay in top 10

Stafford Rangers boss Greg Clowes today challenged his side to "get a foothold" in the top 10 of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League.

Rangers are up to ninth after three wins in a row for the first time this season and next head to fourth-placed Chorley on Saturday.

And a 5-1 win over relegation-threatened Stocksbridge Park Steels last weekend was the biggest victory at Marston Road in nine years.

Away successes at promotion-chasing FC United of Manchester and Marine preceded that and the run has given Rangers cause for optimism.

But Clowes has warned it's imperative the players don't took their foot off the gas and build on their good work as they go forward.

He said: "It's still very tight and we have got a get a foothold in the area where we are. The only way we are going to do that is by winning games.

"We have got to keep this run going. just to keep us where we are in the league. and the players know that.

"We have got 15 games left, the squad is looking as strong as it has all season and I don't want to slip back down the table."

Clowes could name an unchanged side for the third game in a row on Saturday, with only winger Fabrice Kasiama out injured.

The fringe players who turned out in a friendly at Eccleshall last night can likely hope, at best, for a place on the bench this weekend.

But the Rangers boss believes that the bar has been raised to a level that he hopes will stay there.

He said: "The big difference, for me, is that the players are now taking on board what they have been told and are making things happen.

"There's a lot of partnerships growing in the team now - up front, in midfield and at the back - there's a spine there.

"We are not making any changes, at the moment, and everybody's attitude has been first class, there's been no moans.

"Some are disappointed not to be getting into the squad and the team but, when you are winning games, it makes the job easier."