Manager Courtney Belford praised his side’s blistering start that helped earn a 4-1 Bank Holiday win over Kirby Muxloe.
AFC were two up inside five minutes and three up by the midway point of the first half after racing out of the blocks.
That was a platform to give them a second win inside 48 hours and Belford hailed his side’s opening salvo as “fantastic”. He said: “It was similar to the game at their place, where we started well, got early goals, and then they came back into it.
“They’re a good side, moved the ball well and were comfortable on the pitch. It was about making sure we have home advantage in the play-offs. There’s no bigger carrot than that, and it’s job done.
“The lads have been fantastic over the course of the two games (over the Easter weekend). We’ve scored lots of early goals this season and we were well worth the win.”
The manager rung the changes against Kirby, giving Jeremie Agholor and Isa Abraham starts which the wingers have found harder to come by in recent weeks.
He was impressed by the two wingers and said the last three games of the season have all been about giving players enough minutes to get them sharp for the play-offs.
“We changed shape, gave Jez and Isa a chance. We asked them to make it difficult for us to pick a team and they did that.
“We had to change shape slightly, and could have had more in the last few minutes. We can do that again on Saturday, give players who need minutes a start.
“Lads have earned a run, they’ve all backed the lads that have been playing. That’s sometimes difficult but they’re a great group.”
The win over Kirby also saw a first start in a month for Mikkel Hirst. The left back hadn’t featured since picking up an injury at Belper United in March.
And Belford said it was always the plan to bring him off after 70 minutes to ease him back into action.
“He was a little tight towards the last 20 minutes so we brought him off, but that was always the plan. He’ll start again on Saturday and we’ll see whether he’s ready for the play-offs.
“Whenever he’s played this season we’ve not lost, so he’s another winner on the pitch and one that makes us better. Hopefully he’ll be ready to go.”
