GRAHAM Heathcote claimed Stevenage Borough were 'the best footballing side in the Conference' despite beating them 1-0 on Saturday.

The Robins boss was impressed by the promotion contenders' style and approach during the game at But he reserved even greater praise for his own players, who performed admirably in sealing their fifth win in six Conference games and their third on the bounce away from home.

Speaking to SAM Sport on Monday, he said: "It was a very similar win to the one we got at Morecambe.

"We managed to get ourselves in the lead and then defended resolutely for the rest of the game.

"Credit to Stevenage though, they are possibly the best side in footballing terms that I have seen in the Conference. They had two wingers who were allowed to stay in naughty positions and didn't have to do much defending so they caused us plenty of problems.

"I expected that from a teamwho have just got to Wembley in the FA Trophy though. It was a really tough ask."

Alty's recent run has seen them rise to 13th in the Conference table, although they are still only six points above the relegation zone.

A win in Tuesday's crunch match against Stafford Rangers could see the Robins virtually safe.

But with matters in the bottom half of the Conference table still tighter than Tom Jones' trousers, Heathcote is not about to take anything for granted.

He said: "Looking at how it's gone recently, it makes you realise that if we hadn't got these results we would be right in the mire.

"It's given us a good chance of getting over the finishing line but that's what we have to do, we can't afford to rest on our laurels.

"Tomorrow's game will be very different to the Stevenage one. We know what to expect and it's a case of setting ourselves up to get the right result.

"If we drop below the levels of concentration we have shown in the last few weeks we will come unstuck.

"If we can win five out of six, we could just as easily lose five out of six, that's the way I look at it.

"We aren't setting any points targets because I don't think anyone can guess what total of points anyone will need to stay up.

"It's just about getting as many points as you can as quickly as you can."

Alty will be without long-term injury worries Val Owen and Gary Scott, while both Steve Bushell and Karl Munroe picked up knocks against Stevenage, although both are expected to recover in time.

Stafford, meanwhile, could be without midfielder Levi Reid, who picked up a groin strain during his side's 4-2 win over Grays on Saturday.

On-loan Kidderminster striker Andy White could make his debut, however, after appearing on the bench at the weekend.