DAN COATES says North Wales Crusaders’ players must take confidence from pushing title-chasing Oldham so close as they return to League One action this weekend.

On Sunday, Crusaders host Workington Town in the league, a fortnight on from an agonising 25-24 home loss at the hands of second-placed Oldham.

Coates, the man of the match on that day, told CruCast: “That’s going to give us confidence for the rest of the season. It has to.

“There was a lot of broken boys in the changing room after the game and it really showed how much we cared and I think, if we play to that level every week, there’s no reason why we can’t go on a run and make the play-offs.”

Crusaders may have to do without full back Owain Abel (pictured above) for a spell.

“We’re just not sure,” said head coach Carl Forster.

“He originally had a scan. It came back that there is a bit of damage, but we don’t know the extent of the damage.

“It must have just been the type of scan that he had.”

Forster said Abel had been in for another scan and he added: “We’re kind of waiting for the results and we’ll take it by there with Owain.”