LEE CLARK hailed the “best performance” of his managerial reign as Town strengthened their grip on the League I play-off berths with a hard-fought win over third-placed Millwall.

Skipper Peter Clarke’s 39th-minute header sealed the 1-0 victory which put sixth-placed Town six points clear of Colchester in the bid to claim the final spot.

Clark, who will today watch Colchester try to reduce the gap to three points by winning at Hartlepool, said: “We showed all the characteristics of a good side.

“Taking into consideration the situation and quality of the opposition, this was the best performance of my managerial tenure.

“We showed lots of quality and created lots of chances, then when we had to, we defended strongly against one of the best teams in the division.

“All over the pitch we showed desire to keep the ball out of our net.”

Town are next in action at already-relegated Stockport a week today, before Colchester come to the Galpharm on May 1 in the penultimate match of the regular season and Clark warned: “We can’t afford to take our eye off the ball.”

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