Hednesford boss wants four more wins

Hednesford manager Rob Smith today targeted four more wins for the Pitmen to secure their Evo-Stik Northern Premier League play-off passage.

Smith's men re-claimed third place with a 4-0 win at bottom club Burscough on Tuesday night, after losing 2-0 at home to Northwich last weekend.

They now face fellow promotion contenders FC United of Manchester and Chorley in the next two games, with United at Keys Park on Saturday.

The Red Rebels are making a charge for the play-offs and Smith believes they will get there, after his side were beaten 2-0 at Gigg Lane last month.

Both sides have nine games left before the finish line comes into sight on April 21 and the Pitmen boss wants another three points on the board.

He said: "Four wins will probably see us through and we have two out of the four teams that will probably make it over the next two games.

"A win against either of them will put the opposition in a lot of difficulty, so they are two massive games for us against two very good sides.

"FC United is going to be a tough game in front of a big crowd."

Smith is happy to take any play-off berth on offer, although the two highest places would give the Pitmen home advantage at Keys Park.

The club finished second in the equivalent Southern Premier League last season but the manager insists this is a higher level of play.

He said: "To me, it doesn't matter, I just want to be in the play-offs but, for the club, it would be ideal if we can get second or third and play at home.

"It's very tight and, if you say Chester have won the title, there's six teams for four places and there's going to be a few twists and turns along the way.

"It's a very strong league, much stronger than the one were in last year, and getting in the play-offs would be a remarkable achievement for us.

"I don't care what people say, we can't compete with the teams around us, they are still strengthening while we have a very young side."