Stephen Darby is urging City to stand their ground and make sure the first season back in League One ends in the top half.

Phil Parkinson’s men are all but safe after reaching the 50-point mark – seven clear of the drop zone.

The draw at Rotherham, coupled with weekend defeats for all four of the teams currently occupying the relegation spots, has strengthened their position in 12th.

City also boast the significant advantage on all those behind them of a positive goal difference.

But Darby wants to see no letting up over the final four games as they look to secure a top-half finish.

The ever-present defender said: “It always looks better when you’re picking points up but I wouldn’t say it’s time to relax.

“Our performance at home last time wasn’t good enough and we’ve really got to be on it against Peterborough on Friday.

“It would be great if we could finish the season strongly. That started at Rotherham and we’ve got something to build on from there.

“Hopefully now we can put in another strong performance this week. We’ve had some good results against the top sides.

“This is the business end when everyone’s scrapping for points and we’re no different.

“You’ve got to look forward. The squad of players we’ve got is more than capable of finishing in the top half and that’s what we’ve got to look to do now.”

City’s goalless draw at the New York Stadium on Friday night was their first point against Rotherham in seven attempts as they bounced back from the dismal home loss to Oldham.

Darby said: “We haven’t really turned up in previous games there but that was a massive team effort.

“Everyone was prepared to do the dirty work and get the basics right. The fans have seen the lads really working hard for the shirt.

“Rotherham are up there for a reason. They are a good side but we know what we are capable of on our day and that was a good point.”

City have improved their record on the road but three defeats in the last four Valley Parade outings mean they will have to refocus their efforts against Darren Ferguson’s play-off chasing Posh.

Darby understands they need to get it right on their own patch for the fans.

He said: “The away performances have been good and that’s three clean sheets in a row now. It’s just trying to find the right balance and take that form into our home games.

“We’ve been lacking a bit of consistency throughout the season. We’ve shown how good we can be by winning at Leyton Orient but the last home game against Oldham didn’t go to plan.

“It’s important now that we take the positives from the Rotherham performance into Friday’s game against another team up there. We’re more than good enough to do that.”

With only two home games left, the club could do with much better results to push season-ticket sales.

The current prices, frozen for next year, will run until May 31 before they go up by £100.

City director of operations David Baldwin said: “We really need that 12th man, the voice from the terraces.”