Lancaster City boss focused on three big points ahead of cup final

The Blues are just two points outside the play-off places with the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy final against Chorley on Monday night looming large.

But Brown insists his attention is solely on the Blues’ bread and butter of an Evo-Stik First Division North win on Saturday.

He said: “Harrogate is as big as the Chorley game.

“They got a decent point against Witton Albion on Tuesday but we’re going there for three points to keep us in the play-off hunt.

“We’ve got the final on Monday but my focus is always on the next game.

“We head there really positive and will be on the front foot.”

City moved closer to the play-offs with a thumping 6-1 win over top-five rivals Ossett Albion last time out, a win that reminded Brown of his previous spell at the club as assistant to Tony Hesketh.

He said: “The message before the game was to turn the draws into wins and to be honest in the first 45 minutes it looked like it was going to be another draw.

“But just after half-time we had a 20 to 25 minute purple patch. It reminded me of back in the day when I was first here and we used to turn teams over like that.

“We were clinical, looked dynamic and were decisive in and around the final third.

“It was a great win in the end.”

City’s squad has been bolstered by two new signings this week with striker Bobby Langford and defender Chris Anderson signing on at Giant Axe.

Langford scored against the Blues for AFC Darwen earlier in the season and has also spent time with Northwich Victoria and Padiham.

Garstang’s Anderson, a versatile defender who played under assistant Dave McCann at Squires Gate, has signed on a dual-registration basis having played one game for the Dolly Blues in pre-season when Darren Peacock was in charge.

Brown said: “Both signings were no brainers really.

“Chris has been training with us for a week or so as he gets his fitness back.

“He’s a god lad and a decent player. As a left footer he can play at left back as well as centre half.

“I tried to get Bobby earlier in the season when he was at Northwich Victoria.

“I spoke to him but he didn’t want to move at that time as they were near the top of the league and still in the FA Cup.

“When he left we were quite settled in that area but we’ve kept in touch and I’ve kept tabs on him so it’s all worked out.

“He gives us a bit of an edge that we haven’t got.”