First step, catch York! Craig Elliott happy to play the long game with Boston United

Craig Elliott won't be making bold statements about winning league titles, instead the Boston United boss is preferring to play the long game.

The Pilgrims currently occupy third spot in the National League North table, seven points behind leaders King's Lynn.

And while the Boston boss would undoubtedly love to overtake the Linnets, his first target is closing the gap on York City, who sit six points ahead of United, having played two games more.

"It's not too late to catch York," Elliott said after his side beat the Minstermen 3-1 last Saturday.

"I'm not making big statements that we want to win the league or we're going to win the league, but we want to catch York.

"Can we catch them? Of course we can, but it's going to take a huge effort, we've got some big games coming up.

"Beating York will put us in people's minds, not too many people have been talking about us."

United travel to face Brackley Town today, looking to complete their first-ever double over the Saints (KO 3pm).

Five straight wins have propelled United up to third spot, but Elliott says it is no fluke.

"I think we've been pretty consistent all season to be honest with you, maybe could've won a few more at the start," he added.

"At this stage you deserve to be where you are in the league.

"We've been on a good run and everybody's contributing, it's not like we're a one-man team. Everybody's playing their part, which is the pleasing thing for me.

"We're always looking up, trying to catch teams above us. We went from seventh and then we're chasing sixth. Now we're trying to catch York.

"We've still got a lot of work to do but it just keeps it alive.

"There's a chink of light there and let's hope that door's a little bit more open now."

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