PAUL Carden has revealed some of his Warrington Town players are fighting through the pain barrier to help the club’s promotion bid.

Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Grantham Town allowed Yellows to close the gap on leaders Altrincham to just three points.

Carden says the performance of his side at Cantilever Park came as no surprise to him and says the willingness to play on with niggling injuries is a symbol of the character he has in the dressing room.

“They did what they have been doing all season. We have a squad now that has been together for most of the season,” he said.

“When we need to make changes, we know we can do it and the performances don’t drop.

“That’s going to be key with games coming thick and fast between now and the end of the season.

“People are working as hard as they can. We’ve got lads playing through knocks and niggles to ensure the team is getting results.

“I think that epitomises the group of players we have. They want to do well and it helps that they’re good footballers too.

“The spirit is really good and we’re just grinding away, carrying on doing what we’re doing.

“We’re letting others be worried and concerned about us rather than the other way round.”

Devarn Green put Yellows ahead on Saturday before Jamie McDonald’s opportunistic long-range effort eventually proved to be the winning goal.

Carden believes having players like McDonald who can produce “a bit of magic” will make all the difference in the run-in.

“We know Jamie has that in him. Like I said last week, we’re starting to see him find his form again,” he said.

“It’s important we have Jamie, alongside the likes of Tony Gray and Joe Piggott, fit and available for the remainder of the season.

“Devarn is in there as well having scored his first goal for us.

“When games are tight, we need that little bit of magic and a goal out of nothing. We’ve got players who can do that.”

Defender Matt Makinson, formerly a trainee at Blackburn Rovers, was on the bench for Town having signed for the club last week.

Makinson was coached by Carden at Rovers and the Yellows boss says he could be “a big player” for someone in the future.

Carden also said he would like to add “one or two” more players before Thursday’s transfer deadline to cover injuries to the likes of Jay McCarten and Dylan Vassallo.

“We’ve signed Matt Makinson because he’s a local lad and he needs to get back playing. He needs the opportunity to train and play and that’s what we’re giving him,” the Yellows boss said.

“I coached Matty a few years ago at Blackburn and he was unlucky not to get a pro deal. He had an injury last season that stopped him playing.

“Given a bit of time and patience, he’ll be a big player.

“We know we’re getting a young player in who could potentially be useful for us in the run-in.

“We’re trying to bring one or two in, just to strengthen us with Jay and Dylan the way they are with their injuries.

“Jay is seeing a specialist on Wednesday and Dylan should be having a scan on Wednesday.

“We certainly need a centre-half, and maybe another wide player.”

Town welcome Hednesford Town to Cantilever Park tomorrow, Tuesday, and Carden confirmed Shaun Beeley will be back in contention to play having missed Saturday’s game.