MANAGER Ian Long has challenged his Tividale side to finish the month unbeaten to cap a brilliant run of form.

Tivi have lost just once in the last eight games after stretching their run with a league win over Kidsgrove Athletic last Saturday and cup success against Romulus on Tuesday night.

Now Long wants his players to be crowned the league's team of the month award by taking maximum points from the next three games.

"We have now hit the 40 point mark I set at the start of the season so can now look ahead," said Long.

"I want the players to win the next three games so they will be in with a chance of being named as the team of the month.

"We are up against teams around us so we will be looking to keep our run going.

"I still wouldn't rule out a late push for the play-offs because we have games in hand and there are plenty of points still to play for.

"I think it's clear we belong at this level now and can continue to improve."

Tividale beat Kidsgrove at The Beeches on Saturday when Danny Ashton hit the only goal of the game in the last 15 minutes.

Long added: "It was a battling performance in difficult conditions but I think we just about deserved the win.

"Jordan Archer played really well and could have had a hat-trick on another day."

The boss then made five changes for the trip to Romulus in the Walsall Senior Cup on Tuesday.

Tivi eventually won the tie 5-4 on penalties after the match finished 0-0 after extra-time.

They will play either Bolehall Swifts or Chasetown in the semi-final of the competition.

This weekend will see Tividale return to league action when they welcome Goole AFC to the Beeches this Saturday. It is the first of two games between the sides this month before the reverse fixture on February 28.

A league game against Romulus next Tuesday will be sandwiched between the Goole fixtures.

Attack-minded left back Zac Foster and forward Jordan Archer are slight doubts for this Saturday after picking up knocks against Romulus.

Long is hoping to boost numbers in the squad and is currently in discussions with AFC Wulfrunians left winger Jamie King.