DUDLEY Sports boss Tony Gore says he'd love to keep the current group of players together for next season.

Sports are now firmly in with the chance of beating the club's highest ever league finish of sixth after a thrilling end to the campaign.

If they can overcome a packed fixture programme at end to the season then an FA Cup place and a best final placing is in the offing.

Sports claimed back-to-back wins last week ahead of Saturday's stalemate Cradley Town.

Gore's men won 4-1 when Bilston arrived at Hillcrest Avenue last Tuesday and edged past Bromyard with a 2-1 away win last Thursday.

The boss thinks tired legs accounted for a flat showing against the Hammers at the weekend and called for the league to make a change to prevent the end-of-season fixture pileup.

He said: "We had two good wins in the week but then Saturday was a typical end-of-season affair.

"We were a little off the pace and I think that can be put down to the amount of game we played. We had a few heavy legs out there.

"It is going to be the same right until the end of the season now and the league need to look at it. Playing so many games is not good for the players or the league. We need to play more games earlier in the season."

However, despite the challenge, Gore is determined to end on a high.

"I think two more wins and a draw will be enough for us," he added. "We are well placed to get that FA Cup place now and it would be fantastic to show the progress we have made this season by getting our best ever finish.

"I have nothing but praise for the players. I some times give them a hard time if they don't perform how I know they can but that is because they have set the standard for themselves. They have the right commitment and attitude and have been really good.

"As ever, the vultures will be circling but I think this squad could be different and will hopefully want to stay at the club. It would be brilliant if we could keep them together.

"There are a lot of great people at this club who all work very hard behind the scenes. It is more than just about the 11 players out on the pitch."

Sports are due to face Wellington at home tonight before going to local rivals Gornal Athletic this Saturday.