Lancaster City not given up on chase for a play-off place, Bamber Bridge head to South Shields

The Dolly Blues boss admits the notion seems fanciful with the Dolly Blues 12 points off the pace in the NPL Premier Division with only eight games left.

However, Tuesday night’s 1-0 win over promotion candidates South Shields shows that City - who have been inconsistent this season - have the ability to mix it with the best.

And a sequence of victories in the final run-in could still make things interesting at Giant Axe.

No matter what happens, Fell is keen to see his men finish strongly and build a platform for next season.

"I said to the lads after the game against South Shields, ‘Let’s have a right push and have a good five weeks until the end of the season,” said Fell, whose side head to Stafford Rangers this weekend followed by a home game against Morpeth Town on Tuesday.

"It will give us a platform going into next season and players will be playing for deals - it’s getting to that time of the year.

"But right now, we have built a bit of a platform to go to Stafford on Saturday and then Morpeth at home on Tuesday. If we can get four points out of these next two games then all of a sudden we are looking at finishing in eighth place or even better.

“I still think around 65 points could be good enough but we know it’s going to take something special for us to get in those play-offs.”

City are also eyeing up the prospect of overhauling Bamber Bridge, who are six points ahead in seventh spot in the table.

Brig ended a four-match losing streak when they defeated Grantham Town 2-1 last Saturday. This weekend, they head to South Shields.

In the NPL West Division, Clitheroe host City of Liverpool and Kendal Town head to Prescot Cables.

Charnock Richard are at home to Prestwich Heys in the NWC Premier Division. Burscough head to Northwich Victoria while Longridge Town visit Vauxhall Motors.

Garstang travel to Golcar United in the NWC First Division North.

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