SUPER sub Craig Lindfield believes Accrington Stanley can emerge as League Two’s surprise package as he hopes Saturday’s late winner can spark an unlikely play-off surge.
The 23-year-old striker came off the bench to secure a 2-1 home win over in form Northampton – and earn boss Paul Cook his first victory.
The win leaves Stanley in 13th, nine points off the play offs with just 10 games remaining but, ahead of Tuesday’s Lancashire derby against Morecambe, Lindfield insists they aren’t giving up on a top seven spot yet.
He said: “We can only take one game at a time but there is a strong belief in ourselves and in the team that we can push on.
“If we can pick up six points out of the next three games the picture changes again and hopefully it will look a little bit prettier.
“Most seasons you have a surprise package who come late and there is no reason why that can’t be us.
“Although we all have our feet grounded because we know that is our first win, it is not as though we have three or four on the bounce, but hopefully we can put a run together now.
“We have had some tough away games and picked up some good points and when you back them up with home wins like that, it is brilliant.
“This is a big month. You only look at the next game but we fancy ourselves against anyone.”
Lindfield, Stanley’s second top scorer this season, was dropped to the substitutes bench on Saturday to make way for returning fans favourite Bobby Grant.
But, replacing Charlie Barnett with 10 minutes remaining, he delivered the perfect response as he scored his first headed goal in league football.
He said: “I was disappointed to be left out but as the gaffer said we have a great spirit and it is all about having the right attitude and when you come on, you do what you can and luckily I was in the right spot.
“It is all about attitude. The manager picks the team and you can’t influence that, all you can influence is you do the best you can.
“Will Hatfield has done it a couple of weeks running and I am just glad I got my name on the score sheet. I did think I could score. I was sitting there thinking ‘please give me a chance’. It is always nice to get the winner.
“The gaffer pulled me on Friday and gave me his reasoning and I just had to react in the best way possible.
“The lads deserve great credit because I don’t think there was a bad performance out there.”
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