THE likelihood of embarking on another play-off venture has gone out the window, but for Mikey Harris the priority was to preserve Salisbury City’s Skrill Premier status – and he succeeded by a healthy margin.

Whites’ 29-year-old rookie head coach, pictured below, has defied the odds to give his slim squad a fighting chance of finishing in the top ten.

That target is already backed up by surpassing City’s 58 points total collected when they dropped out of the elite tier of non-league football in 2009/2010 season.

“The goal, when I took over, was to ensure we didn’t get relegated,” Harris pointed out.

“We were odds on favourite for relegation, and people have talked about play-offs this year but that has been a pleasant thing to talk about. In reality, are we ready for that? Probably not.

“Like I said all along, for us to be in the position we’re in and to have even had a chance of making the top five is testament to what they’ve achieved.

“I’m delighted with the season as a whole regardless of what happens in these next three games.”

Kick-starting the Easter bank holiday weekend is a trip to a highly-respected former Football League side today, who are still recovering from their ten points’ deduction before they started up in the Conference.

Aldershot Town are currently trapped in a relegation dogfight and are only outside the bottom four on goal difference.

Defeat to Harris’s injury-wounded team would deepen their relegation fears and leave them in hot water ahead of their trip to foes Woking on Easter Monday and the visit of fellow cash-strapped boys Hereford United in a closing six-pointer.

“Aldershot are fighting for their lives but are a good side with an experienced manager (Andy Scott), and it’s going to be a tough game especially with the injury situation they are in,” he added.

“We’ve been working hard this week to put a game plan together to pick up a win.

“The injury situation we’re in is something we can’t do anything about.

We’ll just do our best when we go there.”

Three days after the short trip to Hampshire, Welling United visit the Ray Mac for City’s last home game, in which Harris is hoping people flock to the ground to generate a buzzing atmosphere.

“I’m looking forward to the game and the presentation awards after,” Harris continued.

“The lads have been fantastic this season with what they’ve achieved, considering the resources we have.

“Considering we got promoted last year and to be where we are in the league, and perform the way we have under difficult circumstances, they deserve a good send off and I hope we have a big crowd.”

Both games are 3pm kick-offs.