THE race for the playoffs is starting to resemble a game of musical chairs where the accompanying music is the Hokey Cokey. In, out, in, out and, as we’re top of the form table, we’re clearly shaking it about. The big question for us is where we will be sitting when the music stops on April 29.

Before the game at Gainsborough last Saturday, it felt almost necessary to pick up a maximum six points from that and Wednesday match’s with Bradford Park Avenue. As it is, four points seems pretty satisfactory given the circumstances of the two games.

At Gainsborough, despite the positive start, our old defensive problems came back haunt us. I felt a bit sorry for new goalkeeper Adam Bartlett as he seemed to be put to the sword for the three goals conceded which was a bit harsh. The first was clearly his fault but the other two goals were more about collective poor defending. Finding ourselves 3-1 down could have been our undoing, but rather than feeling sorry for themselves the team battled their way back. Martin Gray made the right substitutions and when Dave Syers bundled the ball home for the last minute equaliser, I don’t think anyone could have any real complaints.

Meanwhile, Wednesday night’s match had a similar feel to the Gainsborough game but without the goals. We looked vulnerable at the back but we had to pile forward looking for the winner. Given our visitors have won as many games away from home as us this season, they clearly know what they were doing on their travels. They looked well set up to absorb our pressure – I’ve never seen a team stand off our players to allow them to play long, diagonal balls such was their confidence in dealing with them.

Looking at the table, it’s great to see us back in to the playoffs although there was a little regret that aren’t more comfortably ensconced. For me, the most important reason for securing the three points on Wednesday was to take some pressure off this Saturday’s trip to AFC Fylde. There was the possibility that we could have headed over to the North West having picked up maybe just one point from these last two games, even no points if Nicky Wroe hadn’t floundered when clean through on our goal. If one of those scenarios had played out, we’d have headed over to the North West chasing a win which would probably leave us pretty vulnerable against the free-scoring league leaders. Instead, we can go over with a bit less pressure on us to get a result.

While our form has been good over recent weeks, the players have looked a little burdened by the pressure to secure wins against weaker opposition. On Saturday, I think we can chill out a little. I think if the pressure to win is removed from the players, it might be our best chance of securing a maximum return.

In terms of individual praise, my weekly love-in with Josh Falkingham continues. His form over the last couple of months has been exemplary and the timing couldn’t have been better. Praise is also due to Harvey Saunders. He has become a fixture on the bench in recent weeks and deservedly so. His energy and pace when coming off the bench has really perked things up. Finally, Martin Gray deserves a doff of the cap. His substitutions in the last couple of games have made a real impact and have ultimately gotten us back in to the playoffs.