Keith Alexander today challenged his players to take use Saturday's performance at high flying Rochdale as a springboard for a more consistent run in the lead up to the crucial Christmas and New Year period.

"Rochdale have been on a great run of late and I don't think many people would have expected us to get a result on Saturday," explained Keith. "I've seen them a couple of times in the past month and they like to play an attacking style. That had been borne out by the fact they had scored nine in their last two home league games."

"So it was always going to be difficult. But I made a few changes to the side in an attempt to combat their strengths and I thought that by and large the lads did a great job."

"Our attitude and energy in the first half was spot on and I thought we were by far the better team prior to the break."

"If there was a criticism it was that we were again guilty of not taking our chances and when we went a goal behind I thought that would prove costly. But we played with a lot of resolve, didn't let our heads drop and scored a very good goal to earn a deserved point. It was the sort of game we have been losing recently so to fight back was particularly pleasing."

"There was a little bit more self belief to our play on Saturday and that's what we have to take into games if we are going to get to where we want to in the table. And more importantly from the first whistle. We certainly shouldn't be afraid of anyone and it is up to the players to show that same resolve again on Saturday when we travel to Barnet."

"That is the first of eight league games, plus our FA Cup trip to Vale, before the New Year. How we perform over this six week period will go along way to shaping our aspirations for the remainder of the season. It's therefore important the players start believing in themselves and start putting a run together. And a point at Rochdale is a great start."