BARNOLDSWICK Town can take a giant leap towards North West Counties League Premier Division safety with a win over Bootle tomorrow night.

Stewart Airdrie’s side are two points clear of the drop zone with two games remaining and the Barlick chief is determined to ensure his side focus on their own task rather than look at results elsewhere.

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With Stockport Sports having been thrown out of the league there are two relegation places left.

Barlick begin the week on 24 points and after their trip to Bootle tomorrow they end their season with a visit to Runcorn Town on Saturday.

St Helens Town are on 22 points and have home games with Maine Road on Saturday and Silsden next Tuesday to end their campaign while Bacup & Rossendale Borough are four points further adrift but have two games in hand.

Brent Peters’ side have three consecutive home matches starting tomorrow against Alsager Town and end the season on Saturday week away at Ashton Athletic.

With so many permutations it is easy to get lost in the plotting of points but Airdrie insists his side will be concentrating on getting six points which would all but guarantee safety regardless of other results.

“We are in the driving seat,” said the Barlick boss.

“Hopefully we can finish with a couple of wins and get over the line.

“The performances in recent weeks have been good. We played the leaders Glossop on Saturday and there was nothing in the game aside from a penalty and a set-piece so that is encouraging.

“It is frustrating because if we had started the season playing like we are now then we wouldn’t be where we are but you just have to cope with it.”

“All we can do is look after ourselves and try and get three points on Tuesday and then three points on Saturday.

“They are two tough games to finish with but the one advantage is that we play first so we can try and put the pressure on.

“It would be great to get a win at Bootle because that puts a lot of pressure on the other sides to win back-to-back games which none of us have really managed to do this season.”

Airdrie will be without Kieron Lee through injury but Joel Melia is expected to be fit.

In the North West Counties League First Division AFC Darwen can cement their place in the play-off places with a win over struggling Wigan Robin Park.

The Salmoners are currently in fifth place after a fine run of form and can cut the gap on fourth place Barnton to one point with a win over their struggling hosts who begin the day second from bottom.