NORTH WALES CRUSADERS head coach Anthony Murray says his side must adopt a ‘no fear’ approach in their League One run-in.

The in-form Cru have recorded three successive league victories in recent weeks to breathe fresh life into their play-off challenge.

That impressive sequence began with a spirited win at league leaders Whitehaven, before home successes against Keighley and Whitehaven.

And having proven their quality against some of the league’s toughest opposition, Murray insists confidence is high among his squad ahead of Sunday’s trip to third-placed Oldham.

“We should have no fear going there” said Murray.

“We’ve shown that we can compete against anyone in this league and we have to take the positivity of these last few weeks and continue to build on it.

“I think it was the manner in which we beat Workington that was most pleasing. I thought our intensity was there, our enthusiasm was there and you’ve only got to look at the amount of times we defensively pushed Workington into touch.

“That’s all about enthusiasm and wanting to defend your try line.There was some real good team spirit and work ethic and that’s what Crusaders is all about.”

The Wrexham club’s timely upturn in form has seen them gain ground on their play-off rivals.

Currently eighth in the standings, Crusaders are just three points behind sixth-placed London Skolars with a game in hand.

Though a series of frustrating narrow losses hampered their progress earlier in the campaign, Murray hopes his side are wiser for the experience.

He said: “I’m hoping we’ve learnt from the first-half of the season. In games like that (Workington), we possibly would’ve come out for the second-half and played like the Harlem Globetrotters, but we didn’t.

“We stuck to our task and I thought the game management and kicking game from both half-backs was spot on.

“Our completion rate was really high and our penalty count was low. It paid dividends in the end.

” It’s a really nice reward for the players to get some points on the board and it just gives you that bit more confidence.

“Rugby league is about loving what you do and it’s great to see the players playing with a smile on their faces.”

The Cru now face an Oldham side who have emerged as serious title contenders after nine wins from 14 games this term.

Though his side are in buoyant mood ahead of the trip, Murray admits that he will travel with a depleted squad for the Roughyeds clash.

“We’ve got a real tough fixture at Oldham, who are always direct and physically aggressive. We are short on numbers, but the momentum’s with us and want that to continue this weekend,” he added.

Captain Kenny Baker misses the trip through unavailability, while injured duo Lewis Fairhurst and Karl Ashall, and Kenny Hughes (suspended) also miss out.