Saints manager Steve Castle has refused to rule out a late push for the Blue Square South play-offs.

St Albans City have been in mid-table for most of the season but after two wins in a row, the manager has targeted a sprint finish.

The Saints are only six points off the play-offs after Tuesday's win over Dorchester Town and four victories from their last six league games has sparked renewed optimism in the camp.

Castle said: "If we can keep getting three points then who knows? The play-offs have got to be in the back of our mind.

"As a manager you have to be realistic but you also need to be optimistic. If you are not getting optimistic about getting promoted then you are in the wrong game.

"We will give it a go and keep going and who knows?"

If City are to mount a late promotion charge they will need a positive result at promotion contenders Eastleigh on Saturday.

The Saints produced one of their best performances of the season back in August in the 2-1 win at Clarence Park and Castle is looking for a repeat this weekend.

Eastleigh have blown hot and cold recently, conceding 12 goals in their last two home games, including an astonishing 8-2 defeat to Thurrock. Castle has noted Eastleigh have found life difficult when conceding an early goal and he hopes his team can expose this apparent weakness.

"Eastleigh are a very strong team," he said. "But it was one of the best games we played, in the home game, and we will have to repeat that to have a chance.

"I've been told once they go a goal down their heads drop very quickly. I hope that we go in front early and that applies."

Castle remains confident about extending Jake Beecroft's loan spell from Rushden and Diamonds. The midfielder has impressed in his short time with the Saints but is scheduled to return to the Blue Square Premier club after this weekend’s match.

The manager added: "I'm quite hopeful of extending the loan. I think he has done fantastic. The first game he played was very hard because we were poor but after that he has been superb.

"He's been a really big plus point and more than played his part in our last three or four good results."

But two players who have left are Jonathan O'Donnell and Godfrey Poku. The pair have returned to Luton Town after their brief spell back on loan with St Albans.

"O'Donnell has absolutely fantastic potential," Castle said. "Getting football on a regular basis was a big ask for him because he has a young frame. But we would like to have him back and I would think that would be next year if it happened.

"Godfrey has a man's body and he's looking to get into the first team for Luton so I don't think he'd want to come back. They have to get their feet under the table and get settled in. They need to get their heads down and get on with their career."