The Cougars are looking to make it three in a row against Gateshead on Sunday and immediately bounce back from their London disappointment.

Barry Eaton's side conceded a last-second drop goal to draw against London Skolars last weekend, cruelly being denied successive wins after earlier beating Blackpool.

But they head to the north-east in confident mood against another side they have set their sights on in the ultra-competitive National League Two.

"We go to Gateshead with the possibility of taking eight points out of a possible nine from these last three games," said Eaton, knowing his men could actually reach the play-offs zone if results go their way.

"We targeted nine but if we can come away with eight it won't be drastic and we'd be pleased with that return.

"Gateshead have beaten York and proved they are capable on their day. We know they will be fired up for this tomorrow.

"We managed a last-gasp win up there in the Northern Rail Cup and also beat them here, so Gateshead will probably be using that as motivation.

"But if we take care of our own game, play as well as against London but cut out the errors, we're good enough to come away with a victory."

Some sloppy mistakes cost Cougars dear as the Skolars forced a 16-16 draw last Sunday.

"We contributed to our own downfall with some fundamental errors that handed London points but, having analysed the tape, we were also on the end of some dubious decisions," said Eaton, paying particular reference to the ball steal on Gavin Duffy that led to the visitors' late leveller.

The player-boss claims Keighley should have been handed a penalty as Duffy had already been involved in a two-man tackle before the ball was ripped.

Sam Gardner has been given the all-clear to return to action after his eye injury but Eaton will leave it to the winger to decide himself whether he wants to feature on Sunday or train for another week.

Second-rower Wayne Sutcliffe is also fit after illness. He might play for the under-21s tomorrow or could go straight back into the first-team reckoning against Gateshead.

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