Kettering Town utility player James Dance has backed the team to reach the Blue Square Premier play-offs.

The Poppies are seventh in the table, four points behind Rushden & Diamonds, having recovered from a poor spell to win three of their last five matches.

Dance told BBC Radio Northampton: "We don't have too many excuses if we don't make [the play-offs].

"With the players here, we should easily be in the top five. We're settled now and results show that."

Dance joined the Poppies in November, shortly before manager Mark Cooper left the club for Peterborough.

"It was a whirlwind when I first came. There were players in and out, and a change of manager.

"The winter weather didn't help either but it's all galvanised us and made us stronger."

The ex-Redditch United player scored his first senior goal in the 2-1 win at Ebbsfleet, and has subsequently been used as a striker.

"You get the best out of me at right midfield. But I can play at right-back or up front as needed."

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