Brady Stone has challenged Ely City to string a positive run of results together as they approach arguably one of the most important periods of their season.

Inconsistency has blighted the Robins progress so far this term but manager Stone, who watched his side move into ninth in the league standings by beating Thetford Town 2-0 last Saturday, says all they need is a string of good performances to fire them up the table.

“It was an excellent overall performance on Saturday, really good from start to finish,” he said

“We’re only five points from third now and that’s what’s so good about this league – if you can put together a few wins then you can fly up the table.

“Look at Stowmarket for example – they struggled at the start of the season but have won 10 out of their last 11 games and are now second in the table.

“Our current form is lose, draw, win so if we can put together three or four wins then it will put us in a good place.”

Stone has also called on the club’s reserves and younger players to show their quality as the Robins enter a phase of five games in 18 days.

Following last night’s League Cup clash at Wisbech St Mary, Ely travel to Ipswich Wanderers on Saturday, then onto Tring Athletic in the FA Vase before a return trip to Wisbech St Mary in the Cambs Invitation Cup on November 15.

They finally return to home soil on November 18 with a home tie against Brantham Athletic, and boss Stone hopes that the sides he fields in each game will stake their claims for permanent spells in the Robins’ starting line-up.

“If you do well for us then you keep your shirt, it’s as simple as that,” he said.

“We don’t want to change too much but we want to rest some of the players as they’ve been playing a lot of games lately and give some of the younger players a chance.

“Some of the reserves have stepped up recently and have not looked out of place. There are places up for grabs so its up to the boys to perform in the games.”