Lancaster City boss: Twists and turns to come in play-off race

Danny Gregson.Danny Gregson.
Danny Gregson.
Lancaster City boss Phil Brown believes there are plenty more twists and turns to come in the Evo-Stik First Division North play-off race.

Results elsewhere haven’t gone in the Blues’ favour meaning they are seven points shy of the top five ahead of a double header over Easter weekend.

City first host runaway leaders Warrington Town on Saturday before a big derby at Kendal Town on Monday with Brown believing it isn’t win at all costs for his side.

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He said: “Every game has been pretty crucial recently so I wouldn’t say it’s make or break.

“There’s the same pressure there has been for the last few weeks.

“Teams might not be dropping points now but they might do when the pressure and the fatigue kicks in.

“We’ve just got to keep picking points up and stay in there and if it goes down to the last day of the season then it’s the last day of the season.

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“What we can’t do is take our foot off the pedal and then not be in a position to capitalise during the run in.

“Teams are going to drop points because a lot have to play each other.”

Warrington are 13 points clear at the top as the season enters the final stages but Brown doesn’t believe there will be any let up from the champions elect.

He said: “Winning is a habit.

“Whether they’ve won the league or not, mathematically they haven’t, there’s nothing to say they’re going to stop playing.

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“They’re used to going into games and playing at a certain level which has won them a lot of games.

“The players are really looking forward to testing themselves against top of the league.”

A different kind of challenge then lies in wait at Parkside Road on Monday but Brown believes it will be just as tough against Kendal.

He said: “Without wanting to sound boring it’s going to be as hard as the Warrington game.

“They’ll be energetic, tough and up for beating us.

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“To some people we’ll be going in as favourites but we’re under no illusions about how difficult it’s going to be.”

Brown is hoping to formally bring defender Danny Gregson back to the club before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

Gregson played under the Blues boss when he was assistant manager to Tony Hesketh at Giant Axe before also linking up with him at Stockport County.

The centre half is still recovering from a serious injury but Brown wants to get him registered so he can feature before the end of the season if fully fit.

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Brown said: “He’s been training with us and is on his way back from a long-term injury.

“It’s about him getting himself fit again. There’s no pressure to make himself available, he’s got to be right.

“It could be that he gets a couple games in towards the end of the season so we just want to get him signed up now, rather than wait until he’s fit and it be after the deadline.

“There’s no rush. He might not be ready until pre-season.”

Brown has also added AFC Blackpool midfielder Jackson Hulme to his squad this week.

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