GREAT HARWOOD goalkeeper Andy Johnston believes the Reds superb team spirit could still see them to safety.

The cash-starved Showgrounders may have been anchored at the foot of the UniBond First Division for most of this season but the spirit in the camp has never waned.

And that never-say-die attitude is now starting to pay dividends on the pitch as Harwood make a late bid to escape the relegation trapdoor under the shrewd management of Denis Underwood.

The Reds have collected 16 points from their last seven matches - two more than they collected in their previous 29 games.

And with four of their last five games at home, the improbable has suddenly become possible.

"We haven't been that far off the mark all season," said Johnston.

"We've lost so many games by the odd goal but in the last few weeks it's been the reverse of that because we've been sneaking the odd game 1-0 or 2-1 ourselves.

"It just seems like a few things are starting to go our way.

"But there's never been anything wrong with the team spirit because that's been superb all season. And now we've got that bit of confidence which only comes with results to go with it."

When Underwood took over after Ian McGarry got sacked in January, Harwood were virtually written off as relegation certainties. And though it took the ex-Clitheroe chief a while to find his feet, evolution rather than revolution has brought them back from the brink.

"Denis hasn't changed an awful lot to be honest," said Johnston.

"He's brought in one or two new faces, otherwise it's the same set of players who have been here all season.

"But he's also brought some of the fringe players into the starting line up and they've taken their chance and done well.

"The likes of Warren Peake and Lee Pennington have benefited from a run in the side and shown what they can do.

"And he's instilled a little bit more discipline into the club and that's made a difference.

"We've had that many bookings and sendings off this season but he's managed to tighten that side of things up."

Superb wins over top six sides like Hucknall Town and Burscough recently have shown what the Reds can do. But they now face one of their biggest tests yet since Underwood took charge when top-of-the-table Droylsden visit The Showground tomorrow. The Tamesiders are poles apart not just in league positions but in terms of finance.

Big-spending chairman and manager Dave Pace has splashed out on a side capable of stepping up into the UniBond Premier Division next season, while Harwood are struggling to pay their playing staff at all.

But if they can pull off a shock, it will set Underwood's men up nicely for their remaining four matches, two of which are against their relegation rivals. "We played Droylsden soon after Denis took over and although we lost 3-0 we more than matched them," said Johnston.

"But then I can say that about every team in the league this season apart from Lincoln United.

"You always tend to raise your game when you play against one of the top sides and hopefully we can do that tomorrow.

"If we can win another two or three of our remaining home games then we can certainly climb off the bottom.

"And if a few other results go our way then we might still get out of it."

Harwood boss Denis Underwood said: "If they have looked at our recent results I'm sure they won't relish coming here."

Defender Neil Kennedy could return for the home side who will give fitness checks to Graeme Lightbown and Jonathan Smith, who picked up injuries in the mid-week win over Farsley Celtic.

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