Chris Dagnall believes City’s team spirit can see them through the dark times in the League Two survival slog.

The on-loan Barnsley striker has not seen a point or a goal from his two games so far.

But as they head into a home double header against Gillingham and Crawley, Dagnall reckons the morale among the players will be crucial.

He said: “You wouldn’t think this team are where they are (in the table).

“The lads are a positive bunch. You could see that in the second half at Crewe when we showed what we can do as a team.

“That was much better than the first one and a half games I’ve been here. I thought we passed the ball a lot better and if we keep that going, I’m sure we’ll pick up points.”

Saturday’s opponents Gillingham, like Crewe, are fighting for the play-off spots and Dagnall hopes that will mean another open contest.

“Those type of games are better for us when teams have a go.

You saw with the space that Crewe gave us.

“It was just very frustrating to get beaten. We had a couple of really good chances second half but the ball just doesn’t seem to be dropping for us.

“I thought David Syers had scored and I was just about to jump on him but it brushed the other side of the post – that’s the way it’s going.”

Dagnall’s capture was seen as an ambitious move to ward off the threat of a lingering relegation battle. But sixth-from-bottom City are still only four points clear.

He added: “I didn’t anticipate coming in and losing both games but we’ve got to get on with it. Put that to the back of our minds.

“Every game has got pressure on it now because of our position in the league. There are nine left and we don’t want to be dragged nearer the bottom two. Once we can get a couple of wins and hit the 50-point mark then everyone can relax again.

“I’ve been waiting to play at home with the nice big stadium and a lot of fans.

“I’m just happy to get games and starting two in a week hasn’t happened to me for a while. I’m just here to help by playing well and hopefully scoring goals.”