AFTER another league victory Weston manager Craig Laird has spoken of his belief that the Seagulls can win the league if they keep up their good performances.

Weston helped get over the disappointment of their FA Cup exit by beating Maidenhead United 1-0 on Saturday to keep up their excellent recent form.

The Seagulls have now won three games on the bounce in the Blue Square South, and are only three points away from a coveted play-off position.

Having been dumped out of the FA Cup in the third qualifying round by Worcester City, Weston arrived at Maidenhead’s York Road ground eager to continue their winning streak in the league.

An end-to-end first half ended scoreless despite a number of efforts from both sides, with Ross Stearn giving a man-of-the-match performance on the right of midfield for Weston.

Maidenhead spurned a great chance to score minutes into the second half when Lee Barney rounded Weston goalkeeper Lloyd Irish, but fired tamely wide when challenged by on-loan Stoke City defender Immanuel Parry.

The home team paid for their profligacy as their defence failed to clear a corner from Stearn, with Kane Ingram on hand to beat keeper Billy Lumley.

That seemed to take the wind out of Maidenhead’s sails, with Weston having the best efforts before the final whistle.

The win has moved the Seagulls up to 10th in the league and they stand only three points off fifth-placed Chelmsford.

Although the gap between the Seagulls and first-placed Salisbury is eight points, Laird believes his team still has the capacity to win the league, provided they have a little bit of luck along the way.

The former Bridgwater Town boss said: “Our most important aim each season is to get 40 points and make sure we’re still in the league next season.

“But every year our aim is also to win the league. We don’t just want to take part, we want to win and if we can’t do that we’ll aim for the play-offs.

“I know we’ve got to be realistic, and a lot of things would have to go our way over the course of the season for us, but we’re very capable of winning the title.”

His team will look to make it four wins on the bounce as they welcome Basingstoke to the Woodspring Stadium on Saturday.

They will be without Jamie Laird, who is suspended having picked up two yellow cards in the two FA Cup ties against Worcester City, while Martin Slocombe is struggling with a knee injury.