Dave Challinor was happier with his sides performance on Saturday than in recent weeks and feels the point won away to North Ferriby United could prove to be a important one.

“Ferriby’s a tough place to come and a tough team to play against.  Obviously when you go in front, even though it wasn’t for a long period of time, I suppose you’re always disappointed that you don’t go on to win the game.

“But it was a close game between two sides that I expect to be up there competing right up until the end of the season and probably a fairish result.  It was a game where chances were at a premium.  I’d say both teams had some decent situations but there wasn’t to be a winner.”

Talking of Liam Tomsett’s opener Challinor felt the goal was coming saying: “It’s always nice to score and after we’d had a few opportunities in the first half and Brad has a header cleared off the line but there wasn’t a lot going on in the game to be honest and it was a bit of an arm wrestle and to score was great.

“Richie obviously got a touch on it and it fell for us in the box and we’ve stuck it away.  To concede in the manor we did was obviously disappointing but it is what it is and we’ll take the point and move on.

Challinor was also pleased with the way his side defended despite conceding a goal from yet another set piece adding that the lads defended well against such a big, tall threat in the shape of target man Tom Denton.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s huge clash with Stockport County Challinor knows that his side have to prepare well for what will be an historical game for both clubs: “What we do between now and Saturday is important.  We have to play them twice in the space of ten days so it’s another important game for us, as they all are.”

And speaking of the run that The Coasters face between now and New Year’s Day Challinor is confident that his players have nothing to fear going into games against some of the top sides in the league: “We’ve got a run between now and the New Year where we play some of the sides that are up there competing but we’re up there competing ourselves and on merit so we’re prepared to go and give it a go with any team in this division.”

Watch the full post-match interview with Dave Challinor on the club’s YouTube channel or click on the link above.