Bury Town fully believe they can avoid Ryman Premier Division relegation this season.

So says Blues assistant manager Christian Appleford, whose side go into today’s home encounter against Kingstonian (kick-off 3pm) unbeaten in their last four games.

“Everything is very positive at the moment,” declared Appleford, who joined as Ben Chenery’s right-hand man at the start of December.

“Since I’ve come into the building, I’ve seen big strides and big improvements from the team.

“The players fully believe they can stay up and that was epitomised in last week’s 1-1 draw at Bognor.

“We were left disappointed with a point in the end, whereas before the game, we would have been happy with a point.”

Justin Miller gave Bury the lead at top-half Bognor, but Remi Garrett missed a late penalty to seal the win for the Blues, with Bognor equalising just a minute later to steal a point.

To Appleford though, the game and performance was one of intent and progress.

“I think we really look like a team now,” he continued.

“We’re hard to beat, we’re strong, we’re gritty, and we’ve got quality as well.

“We’re going all out to stay in this division and we know what we’ve got to do to achieve that.”

Connor Hall missed the Bognor trip last week, but has been an instrumental figure in Bury’s recent revival, especially in their first away win of the season recently – a 4-3 triumph over Canvey Island, when Hall bagged a brace.

“We’ve been playing Connor in central midfield lately, and he’s looking sharp,” continued Appleford.

“He started the season at centre-back after coming back from injury, but has added something for us since moving further up the pitch.

“James Paterson (a player familiar to Appleford at former club Mildenhall Town) has also joined us recently and gives us another option going forward.

“We have good competition and options for places all over the squad at the moment.

“Joe Benjamin has stepped up since John Sands has come in up front, while Remi Garrett and Jordan Patrick are playing really well, as is Chris Benjamin, who made an impact off the bench against Bognor.”