Marshall wants 'one last push' for the play-offs
Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy winners Lancaster City now aim to add a play-off place to their successful season.
Three days after their 1-0 win over Padiham in the county final, the Dolly Blues drew 1-1 at Stockton Town to take the race for the final Northern Premier League play-off spot down to the wire.
Stockton head into the final weekend a point clear of Lancaster and Gainsborough Trinity in the fight for fifth place, having drawn their game in hand 1-1 at FC United of Manchester on Tuesday.
Lancaster end the regular season at home to relegated bottom club Stocksbridge Town Steels on Saturday, when their hopes hinge on achieving a better result than Stockton, who visit Warrington Rylands. Like FC United, Rylands are safely in the play-offs.
Gainsborough have dropped below Lancaster on goal difference after losing three of their last four and visit Hyde United this weekend.
The form guide favours Lancaster and manager Jimmy Marshall told the club's media team: “We said we wanted to take it to the last game and we will.
“We took the ground over for the cup final and now we need one last push. That connection (with the supporters) is the biggest thing for me – it can do special things and it has this season.
“I think the lads have been fantastic all season but now we've got so close I want to get in. Hopefully we can finish the job off but if we don't we've had a great season.”
Dom Lawson equalised five minutes into the second half at Teesside on Saturday, cancelling out Michael Sweet's 34th-minute opener for Stockton.
Marshall added: “We said at half-time we looked like we were playing with the weight of the world on our shoulders but second half we were excellent.”
Forward Lewis Mansell went to hospital after leaving the ground on crutches. “We hope it isn't as bad as we fear,” said Marshall.
Nic Evangelinos' 11th-minute goal was enough to defeat Padiham in the cup final in Leyland last Wednesday.
Marshall congratulated his side on “a professional job” but the underdogs gave a good account of themselves and will take confidence into this weekend's NW Counties League play-offs.
Saturday's match will be followed by the Dolly Blues’ end-of-season awards at Lancaster Railway Club from 7pm (free admission).