Focused Duffield looks down not up

Peter Duffield had told his third-placed Nailers to concentrate on beating Romulus this Saturday and forget about looking up the table after their 3-1 home win over Northwich Victoria in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, writes Nigel Oldrini.

Belper Town only need two more points to guarantee a play-off spot and their manager, presented with March's Evo-Stik NPL First Division South Manager of the Month Award before kick against the Vics, said: "We've got to go and do well on their plastic pitch and as I've always said, there are no easy games in this league. They have run into some good form recently and are sure to be keen to put the record straight following their heavy defeat at Christchurch Meadow earlier in the season."

Duffield, pictured, was delighted with the manner of his side's performance that saw them close to within four points of league leaders Coalville Town. "We've managed to get results recently without being at our best but I was impressed with the way we played on Saturday," he said. "Everything came together and everyone was on top form and that’s good to see when we are at this stage of the season.

"I don't often pick players out for praise out but Dan White was superb all afternoon and so were our two wide players Eric Graves and Simon Harrison who worked extremely hard. Shaun Tuton and Jon Froggatt are proving to to be a potent strike force and Jon acknowledged the contribution that Shaun made towards his two goals on Saturday.

"Our passing and movement was excellent. It was a joy to watch at times. I thought it was a very entertaining game. For that both teams needed to participate and Northwich played their part. They came for a win and went for it which was actually good for us because we were able to find gaps in their defence even though by and large they defended well when they needed to."

Duffield also admitted afterwards that he was relieved that both Glyn Cotton and Greg Wright will be able to participate in their final games of the campaign after the pair avoided tenth bookings which would have seen them miss key games through suspension.

He added: "That's why Glyn didn’t play against Hucknall and Greg was on the bench last Saturday. They can’t be suspended this season now so we will have them available for the last few games."