COLNE manager Nigel Coates believes his young side are beginning to find their feet after a sluggish start to the Premier Division campaign.

The Reds are enjoying their best run of form after beating East Lancashire rivals Padiham 2-0 on Tuesday, following back-to-back draws against high-flying New Mills and Congleton.

With a third of the season played, Colne are still looking to escape the division’s bottom four places, but Coates is convinced that his side are on the right track.

“We’ve got quite a number of youngsters in the side,” said Coates, whose team travel to Runcorn Linnets tomorrow. “There’s two 17-year-olds in the side and only two lads older than 23.

“That’s the way it’s got to be, because we don’t have the budget to compete with the likes of Newcastle Town or New Mills.

“But the lads are doing well. We’ve had a couple of good results against the top teams. We should have beaten Congleton.

“We’re on a nice little run and took confidence from recent results.”

Coates is hoping that Michael Cruz (hip) and Sam Hayes (hamstring) overcome injuries for the trip to Runcorn.