Harrogate Town defender predicting 'interesting end' to maiden EFL campaign

The Sulphurites did however suffer a 1-0 defeat in Hertfordshire on Saturday, bringing to an end their three-match winning run.

But, their improved form in recent weeks and six victories from their last nine matches have propelled them up the table and transformed them from a side who looked almost certain to become embroiled in a relegation scrap, to one who now have an outside chance of at least challenging for the top-seven.

A newly-promoted club, who have played one or two games more than almost all of the teams currently in and around them, the odds certainly aren't in Town's favour.

And, the message from inside the Harrogate camp is unwavering. Their aim is survival, and until they are mathematically safe, their focus will remain firmly on ensuring that they are a Football League outfit next season.

But, with the gap between themselves and the bottom two currently standing at a whopping 16 points, it is hardly surprising that an ambitious group of players who have become accustomed to success over the last three seasons are starting to wonder just how high up the division they can finish.

Currently 11th and just six points shy of seventh place, victory over Colchester United on Tuesday evening could potentially leave Town within touching distance of a play-off spot.

Thus, right-back Ryan Fallowfield believes that there is still all to play for between now and May 8.

"If we'd have won at Stevenage it would have been interesting, and there's no reason why it still can't be an interesting end to the season," the 25-year-old defender said.

"We're not looking below us anymore, we only want to look upwards. That's the mentality of everyone in the squad, we want to try and be the best that we can and try and get the club higher and up the league. Hopefully, playing the way we have the last seven or eight games, we can.

"Before the Stevenage match it was six wins out of eight, it could have been seven out of nine, it's just fine margins in football and that's the way it has gone on Saturday.

"But, everyone is still feeling really confident at the moment."

Harrogate's clash with Colchester kicks-off at 7pm at the EnviroVent Stadium on Tuesday night.