Pidge And Salford Are Flying Ahead Of BT Sport TV Test

That’s not to say the Ammies are taking it easy after being thrust back into the title race.

Manager Graham Alexander and his staff decided a schedule shake-up was needed as the club looked to get back in the promotion hunt.

The players’ day off was pushed forward 24 hours from its traditional Wednesday in order to give the their legs a little more rest before the weekend.

It has also given their defenders a more prolonged period to work together and ahead of the live BT Sport game with Maidenhead on Saturday, the centre-half has been explaining how it all works.

“Since we made the change we’ve been on a great run,” Piergianni, the former Boston and Stockport County man, told us.

“It means Tuesday and Wednesday, when we’ve not got a midweek game, we can work with more intensity and more structure knowing the next game is three days away. It’s attention to detail.

“You can do more and it allows you to work on things without worrying. Then on Friday we’re back in and it’s all about the next day.

“It’s working. We’ve been able to fine tune things defensively and that’s certainly been showing.

“In our last eight games we have kept seven clean sheets. The only goal we let in against Bromley was a penalty.

“So we’re happy with how we’ve worked out way back into it and it’s sure to be an exciting end to the season for everyone.”

Piergianni won’t rule out anyone in the top five for the title but one thing you can forget about is a lack of focus on Saturday.

Salford stand accused by some this season of doing the business in the big games but letting too many points against teams they should be beating slip through their fingers.

Already relegated Braintree took four points in their two meetings but the defender thinks those days are behind them.

“We had a two-month period where we weren’t getting results,” he said. “It’s not that lately we’ve had the right set of fixtures, it’s just that we’re now on a bit of a roll and teams know we’re much more of a tough nut to crack.

“We know Maidenhead will want to come to our place and create a story. They’ll enjoy the occasion as they’re pretty much safe now so can play with freedom.

“For us it’s about winning our four games and seeing what happens. If we win all four we’ll be there or thereabouts.

“We’ve just got to take care of ourselves. The moment we look elsewhere is the moment we slip.”

He’s loving the championship race and Piergianni must not remember what a quiet April is like.

Last year of course they were going toe-to-toe with Harrogate Town for the National League North title.

“It’s the business end of the season and this is the month you always want to be involved in,” he said.

“Last year was a little different. We were pretty much always on top and the pressure was on Harrogate catching us, but this time we’re chasing it.

“I think people on the outside think we should be doing this or that we should be doing that but trust me, this league is demanding.

“Remember, this is our first season in it and I think we’ve done fantastically well to be a part of the title race. But now we’re in it we want to make the most of it.”

PICTURES BY HOWARD HARRISON AND CHARLOTTE TATTERSALL