Ryan Woods: Town are closing in on top spot

The 20-year-old schemer, who came through the youth ranks, has been in fantastic form this season and impressed in central midfield with his accurate passing and ability to control games.

Woods is one of only a handful of players remaining in a squad that was completely overhauled by boss Micky Mellon in the summer.

But he feels the spirit in the camp is sky-high as Town gear up for their Boxing Day visit to Oxford.

"This is the closest dressing room I have known by far," Woods said.

"I think we are going to need that togetherness through this spell where the games are coming up so quickly.

"The spirit here is fantastic and we are all so comfortable together.

"I think you saw that with Andy Mangan's celebration at the weekend. He ran over the to say thank you to the physio because he has had a bad knee.

"We just need to keep that going now. It's Oxford next on Boxing Day, but if we keep performing we can come out of this Christmas spell on top."

Town are almost certain to top the table if they win their next two matches with league leaders Wycombe the visitors to Greenhous Meadow on Sunday. Town, Luton and Burton are all two points behind the table-toppers.

And Woods knows the players are going to have to dig deep to get the wins they need.

"I think you saw against Morecambe that we were rewarded for hard work," he said.

"Most sides now sit quite deep against us and we have to keep grinding out wins and finding ways to open teams up and score goals."

Meanwhile, Woods admits he is coming to terms with being a marked man following his dazzling displays this season.

"I feel I am learning to cope with that," he said. "Being man marked is something that comes with good performances."