By Liam Morgan
GATESHEAD manager Gary Mills challenged his players not to blow the opportunity of boosting their top five chances ahead of the match with struggling Hereford tomorrow – and stressed how important goal difference could prove to be.
Heed have won five of their last six matches to catapult themselves into contention for the season-ending play-offs in the Skrill Premier.
The trip to face relegation threatened Hereford could be a potential banana skin for Mills' men, and he has urged his team to ensure they keep up their good form with a result at Edgar Street.
He said: “The league is very tight at the moment and goal difference could be crucial.
“I was delighted that we scored those three late goals against Tamworth last week and it is a perfect way to keep up our momentum.
“But we've got to stay focused and certainly not get complacent as we've worked so hard for this opportunity. The players have responded to the targets I have set for them, they're enjoying the challenge and we're playing well.
“We're in a position where we've given ourselves a chance to be in that top five at the end of the season and I'm excited for the chairman, the players and the fans.”
The Bulls meanwhile will be looking to build on an excellent away win in midweek at Welling United which gave their survival hopes a huge boost.
The victory was their first in 14 matches but three points on the road for Aldershot at Alfreton ensured they remain only a point clear of the drop zone.
United chairman David Keyte admitted the Shots win was a blow but he praised the efforts of caretaker manager Pete Beadle and assistant Steve Jenkins.
He said: “Our win was marred a little by Aldershot's victory but it also drags Southport and Chester back into it now.
“We should not underestimate the job that Pete and Steve have done already in lifting these players to such a performance.”
