GARRY Flitcroft has expressed his delight at Chorley’s climb to third in Conference North - and he has not yet completely given up on automatic promotion.

The Magpies’ 1-0 triumph at home to Guiseley on Tuesday was their fourth successive league win to complete a climb from eighth to third in recent weeks.

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Chorley previously had a number of games in hand and now sit three points inside the play-off places.

They remain eight points behind leaders Barrow, who occupy the only automatic promotion place with five games left to play. AFC Fylde are second.

But Barrow visit Victory Park on Monday and Flitcroft is focused on trying to secure victory in the Magpies’ remaining fixtures.

“You never know what can happen to Barrow and Fylde in the run-in,” said the former Blackburn Rovers captain. “If we can win as many games as we can, then who knows?”

Chorley thrashed sixth-placed Tamworth 6-0 on Saturday and then leapfrogged Guiseley in the table in midweek.

They visit FA Trophy winners North Ferriby United on Saturday.

Flitcroft said: “I can tell from the lads in the dressing room how much they want this play-off spot, and if we win our next two games we’re in a serious position.

“You can come down the table when you’ve got games in hand. Lads look at the table and think we’re playing catch up.

“You’ve got to have the mental strength to win your games and we’ve done that.”