PHIL SENIOR believes Town's young guns are gaining priceless experience at the moment.

The back-up goalkeeper - set once again for a place on the bench when when Sheffield Wednesday visit the Galpharm tomorrow (7.45) - was himself involved in some pressure games when he first broke into Town's League line-up in 2003.

While that battle against relegation was lost under Mick Wadsworth and Mel Machin, Senior believes League I security this season has been secured with cracking wins against Stockport and Hartlepool and the squad will all benefit from having played a part.

"We had a good start to this season and then dropped some silly points when we didn't have the rub of the green, but the lads are fine now and looking to finish the season well," said Senior, who is hoping the Reserves can pip Scunthorpe to the Pontin's Division I East title as well.

"I think we are all confident that if we keep playing like we are and focus on our football, we will get the points to push us right up the table, and it's all part of building for the future.

"The lads who have come into the team have done really well and they will only become better for what is happening to them now. I remember my first games were in a relegation battle and, while we went down at the end of that season, I gained so much experience from those matches and that envionment.

"As young lads, you certainly don't feel the pressure and the gaffer has got every faith in them to go out, play their own games and get us the results we need - just like we did on Friday up at Hartlepool."

Senior, who still has a year of his Galpharm contract to run, has been happy with his own form and, having had six starts earlier in the season, is itching for another opportunity.

"You always want to play in the first team, but Rabs (Paul Rachubka) has been doing well so I've got to bide my time," he said.

"All I can do is keep playing as well as I can in the Reserves and show the gaffer I'm ready to step in whenever needed.

"The year on my contact gives me something to build on and I'm just working all the time to improve my game.

"It's been a good season in the Reserves, too, and we want to go up this time so that we'll play a better standard next season.

"There have been a few of the older pros involved which has made it a bit easier for us, and it's great so many young lads have gone into the first team."