Brown warns of drama to come

Dolly Blues boss Phil Brown (photo: Tony North)

Results elsewhere have not 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 is not ‘win at all costs’ for his side.

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

“There is 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.

“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 does not believe there will be any let-up from the champions-elect.

He said: “Winning’s 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.

“They are 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 the team who are 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. 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 he is  fully fit.