Brig looking to cement place in the play-offs

After losing to Tadcaster Albion and Kendal Town, Brig appeared to be heading for their third defeat in a row as they trailed 1-0 against Clitheroe at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium.

However, Renno’s men came out firing on all cylinders at the start of the second half to move 2-1 ahead – a lead they kept hold of until the end of the game.

Having been in with a chance of automatic promotion as late as last month, Brig’s blip in form had them nervously looking over their shoulders in terms of securing a play-off place.

But the win over the Blues now puts them 12 points clear of seventh place with just five games of the season left.

“It was a test of character,” said Reynolds. “I said that to the lads.

“We are at that stage of the season where we have had a bit of a blip in form.

“We lost the last two and then we went 1-0 down and this after hitting the bar and creating some good chances.

“The message at half-time was the same as before the game.

“It was not to panic, put a smile of your face and keep knocking on the door.

“The first 15 minutes of the second half was as quick as we have come out of the blocks all season. Clitheroe did not know what had hit them.

“Alistair Waddecar scored a free-kick and Lewis Nightingale put us 2-1 ahead.

“Then we had chances to make it 3-1, 4-1 – Adam Dodd went around the keeper but the ball was on his right foot.

“But then Clitheroe had a chance and it got a bit nervy towards the end.”

Brig – who host Colne this weekend – will now be hoping to maintain their current spot of fourth position, which will guarantee home advantage in the play-offs.

However, with Prescot Cables – a team they face next Tuesday – breathing down their necks, Brig know they cannot afford too many slip-up between now and the end of the season.

“Colne have strengthened and they are still looking to get in the play-offs,” said Reynolds. “Their manager Steve Cunningham has done an amazing job there since the turn of the year. It’s remarkable that they can still make the play-offs.

“They will be thinking that they have to win at Bamber Bridge so it’s going to be a tough game for us.”

Squad-wise, midfielder Danny Forbes could be absent once again as he struggles with a back injury. Fellow midfielder Jamie Milligan has a knee problem.

Central defender Phil Doughty is unavailable, while Matt Mahoney underwent groin surgery on Wednesday which rules him out for the rest of the season.