REVITALISED Congleton Town are looking to bag 30 points in the second half of the season to ensure they avoid the drop.

Club treasurer Ken Mead believes 10 victories from the Bears' remaining 24 league matches should be enough to keep them in the first division.

He is optimistic about Congleton's prospects of staying up, an optimism borne out of a revival by the Bears in recent weeks.

Congleton are unbeaten in their last four league games, earning 10 points from a possible 12 with three wins and a draw.

However they are still stuck at the bottom of the table, a point behind Gretna and four adrift of a clutch of teams.

A ray of hope comes from the number of games the Bears have in hand over the teams above them, having played three less than Harrogate, four behind Winsford and Kendal and five less than Eastwood.

''We have never panicked despite our position in the table, and I believe 10 wins from our last 24 games should be enough to keep us up,'' said Mr Mead.

''We have to be optimistic, and such a points tally from the second half of the season should not be beyond us in view of the way we have been playing in recent weeks.

''We have conceded only one goal in our last four league games, while scoring six, and the defence has been playing well.

''We don't like to be scrapping to avoid relegation, and at the start of the season were looking to secure a mid-table position.

''Tomorrow's league game at seventh-placed Belper is an important match for us.

''It gives us the chance to measure our improvement over recent weeks, and. we're looking to take at least a point.''

Mr Mead singled out midfielder John Borg, who joined the Bears in late October, as one of the keys to the club's revival in form.

''We were not strong enough in midfield, where we needed a bit of quality,'' he said.

''John is strong in the tackle, has a good work rate, and has made a real difference since joining us.

''The team has also begun to perform more consistently.''

Congleton travel to Belper tomorrow, and are at home to Gresley Rovers next Saturday in the third round of the FA Trophy.