WARRINGTON Town appear handily placed for a big push.

They may not have hit their straps yet, but they sit among the BetVictor Northern Premier Division’s pace-setters.

Only four points separate Town in fourth from leaders and pre-season favourites South Shields – the division is neatly balanced as autumn prepares to turn to winter.

Below them, the gap between fifth-place FC United of Manchester and Scarborough Athletic in 15th is again a mere four points.

If Yellows are to be the team who makes a break from the pack, they will have done so by negotiating a tough set of fixtures.

They start with back-to-back away fixtures – Paul Carden’s men visit an Ashton United side who dumped them out of the FA Trophy last month on Saturday, kick off 3pm, before a trip to play-off chasing Mickleover Sports seven days later.

Beyond that, the games leading up to the Christmas period include a trip to South Shields and home games against Cheshire rivals Nantwich and third-place Basford United.

Carden, however, remains unfazed.

“We’ve just played the bottom side and that was very tough,” he said, referencing Saturday’s 2-1 win over struggling Stafford Rangers.

“Ashton was obviously a disappointing one when we played them in the Trophy and Mickleover away is never easy, neither is Nantwich.

“It’s a worn-out saying but there are no easy games in this league.

“It doesn’t really matter when these runs of games come because they are all tough.”

Tony Gray’s 88th-minute winner on Saturday allowed them to continue correcting the home form that has held them back of late.

They have been somewhat more comfortable on the road and boast the league’s only remaining unbeaten away record – something they will hope to have maintained by the time they return to Cantilever Park in 16 days’ time.

Carden says the belief his side can find a way to win even when they are not at their best is starting to come back.

“I’ve never doubted us,” he said.

“There’s times that I thought it wasn’t quite clicking and flowing, because it hasn’t been.

“Even on Saturday, it wasn’t flowing for us but the Saturday before against Hyde, it was.

“I told the players that I haven’t set the standards here – they have. We can put a framework together that they play within, and it’s up to them to deliver.

“Over a long period of time, this group have delivered.

“Even when we have fallen short and haven’t played well, we have found a way and that’s big for us.

“We’re starting to get that back now which is a really good sign.”

Meanwhile, a youthful Yellows side exited the Integro League Cup on Monday.

They drew 2-2 at Kidsgrove Athletic, with the hosts winning 4-2 on penalties.