GARY Hackett thinks the leadership qualities in his Stourbridge squad have played a vital role in their good start to the season.

The Glassboys momentarily pushed themselves up to second place in the Northern Premier League thanks to Monday night's late 2-1 win over Coalville Town at the War Memorial Ground.

Despite then dropping back to third following Warrington's win over Lancaster on Tuesday, Hackett's men have quickly strung together a five-game unbeaten run.

They have had to dig deep on more than one occasion to come out on top and Hackett praised their determination.

Paul McCone captained the side on Monday as Stuart Pierpoint dropped to the bench. But with the likes of last season's skipper Tom Tonks, long-serving Leon Broadhurst, Jack Duggan and Aaron Forde, the boss has a host of strong characters to call on.

He said: "We are a team with a strong resilience and we have players that are captains out on the pitch even though they don't wear the armband.

"We have some very determined characters in the squad and that has helped us a lot.

"You'd always prefer games weren't as close as some of them have been this season but the pleasing thing is that we have found a way to come out on top, which will stand us in good stead."

On the Coalville win, he added: "They have proved already that they are a strong side and have caused a lot teams problems already.

"It was a really exciting game that saw both teams going at each other and it was pleasing that we managed to get the win right at the end from Jordan Archer.

"He did really well to turn and find the back of the net."

The victory made it back-to-back league and cup wins for the Amblecote outfit after they beat nine-man Alfreton 3-1 last Saturday.

The win booked Stour's place in the fourth qualifying round where they will welcome Macclesfield Town over the weekend of Saturday, October 14.

"The one thing you want is a home draw and we got that," said the boss.

"What we also have is a very attractive but difficult tie. You always have to expect that you're going to have to do something special to get to that first round proper and that'll have to be the case this time around. They are flying at the top end of their division at the moment have been a football league club.

"But it's a exciting tie and in front of a big home crowd hopefully we can be up to the challenge."

There is no time to rest for the Glassboys as they prepare for this Saturday's home derby clash with Halesowen Town.

Hackett added: "It's another big game for everyone to look forward to and it's a contest we won't take lightly.

"People will point out that they are struggling a little a t the moment but form really does go out of the window in these games.

"I don't think we have ever had an easy game against Halesowen and I'm sure John Hill will have them highly motivated once again.

"We will be very mindful of that and understand we have to be at our best."

Defender Darryl Westlake limped out of the Coalville clash and remains a big doubt for this weekend.