IAN Bogie has warned his Gateshead side they must make the most of a winnable "cluster of games", if they are to make the Blue Square Bet Premier play-offs.

Despite a good start to 2012, a run of three league wins was ended by Saturday’s 3-3 home draw with Lincoln City. That left the Tynesiders one place and a point outside the play-off spots.

But their next run of fixtures pits them against the league’s bottom five clubs – tonight’s trip to Kettering Town, before home games against Newport County, Hayes & Yeading United and Bath City – interrupted by an FA Trophy clash, also at home, with Alfreton Town.

And while warning against complacency, Bogie says his side must take advantage. “We’re delighted with the start we’ve made to 2012,” said Bogie, who remains on the lookout for a central defender.

“Our league form is good and we’ve made good progress in the FA Trophy, so it keeps the season bubbling along nicely.

“The lads are working ever so hard for each other. We’ve got to look to keep that going.

“We never look too far ahead but if you look at the run of fixtures we’ve got coming up, if we want to be in that mix at the end of the season, it’s a cluster of games we’ve got to take a lot of points from.

“The aim is to get our points tally in the 80-plus bracket to get into the play-offs, so we’re on target but every game is a difficult one, every game is a different challenge.

“At the minute confidence is high, we’re never complacent.”

Nor can they afford to be, Bogie added, against Kettering.

The Poppies are in serious financial difficulties, but the Gateshead boss has warned his side against taking them lightly.

He said: “Kettering are going through a lot of uncertainty at the minute but that can bring a bit of resolve from the players, in times of need. Look at Darlington.

“There aren’t any easy games, that’s for sure. We’ve got to approach every game like it’s our last, and play to our maximum – the minute you drop your guard and are not at your best, there’s always somebody who’ll beat you.”