Liam Lawrence sets Town a big challenge

The 33-year-old was far from happy with his side following their lacklusture display in the 1-0 defeat to fellow promotion hopefuls Wycombe.

That result meant title-chasing Town have won only once in their last five outings.

And the skipper, who was introduced as a second-half substitute after recovering from a knee injury, is demanding improvement heading into tomorrow's clash with Morecambe.

Lawrence said: "I spoke to the players after the game and said we have to go 10 games unbeaten now until the end of the season.

"If we do that we'll go up, but Saturday wasn't good enough. It was a massive game for us.

"We all knew the importance of it and yet we concede from a cross inside the first minute which you just can't do.

"That goal gave us a massive mountain to climb and we never climbed it. It's a bad time to hit a run like this but I've said to the lads there are no excuses.

"We have worked ourselves into a great position to get out of this league and we have to find a way now to complete the job."

Lawrence revealed boss Micky Mellon also had some tough words for his players both at half-time and after the final whistle.

He said: "The manager told us what he thought at half-time and there were some stern words. It was the same after the game as well because it was very, very disappointing.

"We now have to focus on the next battle and that's Morecambe. We have to go there and get something."

Despite still having a sore knee, Lawrence declared himself ready to start at the Globe Arena tomorrow night, saying: "I am desperate to play.

"I could still feel a tiny bit of pain in the knee but when I got out there, the adrenalin started pumping and I was fine. I am back fit and I want to play. I am desperate to start the game."