CRAIG MARCHES TO SAINTS' TUNE

Bucks boss has belief as part-timer

- Chris Dunlavy

BUXTON boss Craig Elliott is taking inspiration from rivals Brackley as he bids to join the National League North promotion battle.

In a division stacked with big budgets and full-time teams, Brackley have defied their semi-pro status to reach the play-offs in each of the last five seasons.

And after hauling Buxton from the relegation zone to within a point of the top six in their first-ever campaign at Step 2, Elliott says emulating the Saints is now his target.

“It’s a tough, tough league this,” says Elliott, who guided Boston to the play-off final in 2019-20. “So many teams are making impressive signings and giving it a push. And you’ve got to admit that the teams who are full-time have the edge. Scunthorpe, South Shields – they’ll be better prepared, especially when it comes to travelling and recovery. At the same time, I use Brackley as an example of what can be done. Every year they’re knocking on that door. I know they’ve never actually got through it, but they’re consistently punching above their weight.