JOHN O’Sullivan has said Middlewich Town are more resilient and that makes them less likely to let slip a lead.

The co-manager told the Guardian that a 3-2 win against Poynton last weekend, a game the Witches finished with 10 men and had led 3-0, was proof of their gathering strength.

Their reward is to enter the weekend, when they host third-placed Pilkington, with a four-point lead at the Cheshire League’s Premier Division summit.

READ: Middlewich 3-2 Poynton: match report

“We’d have thrown it away earlier in the season,” said O’Sullivan.

“It’s a game that had everything, from goals to injuries and red cards to hitting the woodwork, but we still came out of it on top.

“I think that’s significant.”

A run of four successive league wins has boosted confidence at Seddon Street ahead of a meeting with in-form opponents on Saturday, kick-off 2pm.

O’Sullivan expects a difficult afternoon but a change in mood around the team also makes him optimistic.

He said: “We’ve put a bit of fun back into it, and simplified things.

“All we’ve asked of them is to do the things they’re good at and not attempt something they can’t do.

“Those are basic things, but it’s worked well for us.”

He insists winning the title isn’t a topic of conversation at the moment for a side promoted back to the top-flight at the end of last season following four seasons away.

However that doesn’t mean it’s out of the question.

O’Sullivan added: “All of us in the management team are winners and when we get beat our weekends are ruined.

“But we can’t get ahead of ourselves and we won’t.

“However we know we’re a good side, one that’s hard to turn over, when we’re at our best.

“There isn’t a clear favourite for the title and probably everybody in the table’s top-half fancies their chances if they can find that elusive consistency.

“That’s what we’re looking for as well.”