SILSDEN manager Danny Forrest has praised the recent performances of his goalkeeper Callum Jakovlevs but he has insisted that is what he has come to expect from the 22-year-old.

The stopper made a series of fine saves to preserve his clean sheet against Oswestry Town last weekend and his stunning last-gasp block secured all three points for the league leaders in a hard-fought 2-1 win at Abbey Hulton on Tuesday.

Regarding his young goalkeeper, Forrest said: "He's been as important as anyone for the last two years. I don't think he's missed a league game since the start of last season.

"His performances are generally quite consistent and he's a leader. He's there to keep the goals out and he's doing more or less what I expect really."

Striker Chris Wademan has been in fine form since Christmas and he slotted home the late winner in midweek. The team's top scorer Joe Gaughan will soon be back from suspension but Forrest seems unfazed by the potential selection headache.

He said: "It's going to be tough but as we've done all season, we'll just take it one game at a time.

"I've been managing for nearly 16 or 17 months and I've got a bit of knowledge of the (other) teams and how they might shape up.

"Our team selection will be reflected in that but I'm not going to worry about it until Joe joins us again."

Although Litherland REMYCA have closed the gap at the top to seven points with a game in hand, Forrest believes that gaining promotion is more of a priority than winning the title.

He said: "The target at the start of the season was to improve on last year when we finished in 11th.

"We've got a great squad but we're probably doing better than we might have expected so to try and gain promotion now is the main aim."

Looking ahead to Silsden's weekend home fixture against Stockport Town, Forrest said: "They like to play football and play out from the back, they've got technical players.

"They play at home on astroturf so their style of play reflects that. They've also got a big striker who's a bit of a handful.

"But with the last performance, and with the attitude that the lads have shown me all season, I'm hopeful that we can make it through the final stretch."