CONFIDENT manager Peter Jackson takes his fired-up Town troops to Rochdale tomorrow night hell-bent on cementing a top-six challenge.

Glowing from the fine 3-0 demolition of outclassed Northampton, Town's boss is targeting back-to-back League victories for the first time in five months in front of a big away following at Spotland (7.45).

Rochdale's chief scout watched Jon Stead (2) and Tony Carss (penalty) get the goals in a crushing team display on Saturday which was watched by the lowest McAlpine League crowd of the campaign - 8,285.

Rochdale boss Alan Buckley, whose side lost 3-2 at Carlisle, will not have enjoyed reading the report, especially as 12th-placed Town can now leapfrog his team to home in on the leaders.

Jackson - who rates midfield man Andy Holdsworth (bruised foot) only 50-50 - is keen not to miss out with Town moving up.

"The lads produced a brilliant team performance on Saturday and it's important now that we carry that forward into the Rochdale game," said Jackson, whose squad trained yesterday while Holdsworth's injured foot was packed in ice.

"It is no good having a great win and then not following it up, like we did against Bristol Rovers and then disappointing at Bury.

"It's all about consistency of performance, so the lads have set a high standard for tomorrow.

"They are full of confidence and rightly so after Saturday, though, and I just want them to go out and do it all again.

"Even now, we are only six points off the top, which shows what a couple of wins can do for you, and three points tomorrow would be a massive boost."

Leeds, Manchester United and Everton were represented as Stead took his season's tally to seven goals. Sunderland also had a look ahead of the Carling Cup clash and will have noted the switch of Carss to the left.

"We might not have the biggest squad in the world, but they are all honest lads and we do have the ability to destroy people," said Jackson, who confirmed Ian Hughes will be fit after having four stitches in a head wound and that Andy Booth has recovered from a hip injury.

"I've looked at the video and we could have scored a load more, but I'm still delighted about the fact we kept a clean sheet.

"I said in my Examiner column that keeping clean sheets is the way to win play-offs and championships and we need to do it a lot more, but I'm delighted for Ian Gray and the whole team that we've now blanked a team, because they deserve it."

Should Efe Sodje's appeal against his red card at Bury fail, tomorrow will mark his last appearance before a three-game ban, just as Town are about to market some replica bandanas which are being sponsored by Prime Time Recruitment.

"The enthusiasm and passion of the lads was there for all to see," said the manager.

"One or two sections of our support had been pointing the finger at them and questioning some of my decisions, but I would like to think that display will answer any doubters.

"We might not play well all the time, but the commitment and the spirit at this club is excellent and everyone is pulling together.

"Young lads have come in and done well, experienced pros like Boothy, Sodje and Robbie Edwards are playing out of their skins and the balance and the mix is good, make no mistake.

"I don't think anyone had a poor game, the midfield were magnificent and hardly anyone was talking about Jon Stead after the game and he scored two goals! That can't be bad."

Match Report