Rhys Hanbury goes over for the Crusaders' winning try at Neath

Crusaders boss Brian Noble believes one win in their last three Super League games could secure a play-off place.

They came from 10-4 down against Harlequins on Friday to win 16-12 and take over in eighth from Castleford.

But the Crusaders face top-seven sides Hull FC, St Helens and Hull KR in their last three games.

Noble says his players must learn to deal with the expectations on them, adding: "We've got to win another game to finish in the top eight."

The Crusaders will have 100-cap Wales union veteran Gareth Thomas back for those matches following his recovery from a groin injury.

But while Thomas can bring his experience of playing under pressure to the Crusaders, Noble says all his players must be able to respond positively to the pressure they are under.

We were anxious - you could see that. It was the first time any expectancy has been put on these blokes Crusaders boss Brian Noble

He said: "An element of anxiety crept in and it was a slow game. The ruck was slow so for technical reasons we couldn't get on the front foot and we couldn't play the way we wanted to play.

"But that's full credit to the Harlequins, but I'm delighted for the players because of where we were at the start of this year to where we are now in the top eight is an awesome achievement.

"We were anxious - you could see that. It was the first time any expectancy has been put on these blokes and you could tell they were thinking "you mean we've got to win?"

"So that's the real pleasing aspect. We didn't play particularly well, but we found enough reasons in that last 10 minutes to get to the right end of the field and force enough points to win.

"With eight minutes to go we weren't really in the game. Harlequins got the penalty and everybody felt game over.

"But they're a resilient bunch this time around. I'm not going to say we're going to shake anything up or even finish in the top eight because we have some difficult games to finish the season with.

"But to give themselves that opportunity is a reflection of how much it meant to them towards the end.

606: DEBATE OK, I admit; Hull away, Saints at home and then KR at home (Crusaders' remaining fixtures) ain't a picnic but some teams are in terrible form and won't necessarily win their games either wireinexile

"And the minute we got a bit of ruck speed towards the end we scored one and then we scored another one and it was a fabulous way to finish the game.

"But we've got some lessons to learn in elements of how to cope with that pressure.

"Realistically we've got to win another game to finish in the top eight.

"But where the players are at now and how much we've built this year and the fact that the foundations we've laid - it's a fabulous job done already by the players and the coaching staff.

"So we're pleased, but we're a bit hungrier now. We've won four games now and we'll go to Hull next week and cobble something together.

"I'll get some vinegar and brown paper out because we've got some bruised and battered people and hopefully we'll get some troops back into the team."

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