Securing a play-off place would be an unbelievable achievement for Stamford

Securing a play-off place would be an 'unbelievable' achievement for 'little, old' Stamford. That's the verdict of boss Graham Drury after the Daniels moved into the top five spots in the Southern League Premier Division Central on Saturday. An injury-time goal from Connor Bartle secured a 1-0 home success over Bishop's Stortford on Saturday.

It saw Stamford take advantage of all of the top sides dropping points in the race for promotion. And, with just four matches of the campaign remaining, the Daniels' promotion destiny is back in their own hands. Drury said: "There is no coming back from those last minute goals and all credit to the boys for pushing until the end.



"We got the result and it has pushed little old Stamford into the play-offs. "For the size of our crowds and the money being thrown around the league, the dressing room has done unbelievable. "If we don't get in there it won't be from the lack of trying.

If we do it will be down to a massive heart from that dressing room. "We haven't got the best squad or budget but we give it everything that we've got. "I head and kick every ball and I'm with them all the way.

We are a team from top to bottom." Substitute Connor Bartle netted the last-gasp winner on Saturday - the second time in as many games that Stamford had struck in injury-time after their late leveller against Kettering Town last weekend. Bartle had been left out of the starting line-up but responded in the perfect manner as a training ground routine paid off.

Drury explained: "We were gambling bodies forward at training on Thursday and saying that we needed to get more bodies into the box. "We're never going to out-score teams because we haven't got that out-and-out 25-goal man this season. We've got to find a way.

"I left Connor out of the team because he wasn't getting to the back stick in training. "I felt he wasn't using his energy but he got to the back post when it was important. "Hopefully something has sunk in because he's had two or three chances as well.

"We just had to gamble and believe and it made the game really open. "I said to the boys that I would rather lose the last five games than not have a go at it. "We had a go and there was massive love from me in the changing room afterwards because they listened.

" Stamford now face a difficult trip to Stratford Town on Saturday to face a Bards side who are two points and two places below the Daniels in the league table. Drury added: "Stratford is a very tough place to go. "They are very resilient and organised as a team who are hard to break down.

"They've got good experience in their side and a top striker who is in that 20-goal bracket. "We will keep believing and again we've got something to play for in April. "It comes to the point where, if you've got the opportunity, don't let it pass you by because there might not be many more to come around.

"I wanted something to play for April which you want every year and we've got it again. "It makes sure that Stratford is worthwhile going to and, after we've been there, we need to make sure it's the same for the next game against Banbury. "It's how we're looking at it and it's a building block going forward.

" Stamford host Banbury and travel to Spalding over the Easter weekend before completing their regular campaign at home to title-chasing Halesowen Town..