Royston Town boss Steve Castle said guiding Royston to their highest ever league position ‘means the world,’ after his Crows flew to consecutive 5-0 wins.

The Crows made it five straight Evo-Stik Southern Premier League victories, scoring 18 and conceding one.

Adam Marriott grabbed his tenth in five, scoring a hat-trick to add to Scott Bridges’ double, sinking Dunstable Town deeper into the relegation zone.

Speaking to CrowSport, Castle said: “You’d expect us to win the last few games but we’re pleased with every aspect of this run.

“Dunstable never gave up, but thankfully we showed our class in front of goal. It’s helped the goal difference (+15), which hasn’t been great up to now.

“Not only are we scoring loads but the defence are keeping clean sheets.

“The goalscorers rightly get a lot of credit but let’s not take it away from the rest of the team, particularly the defence.”

Two well taken finishes after 19 and 25 minutes from Marriott and Bridges kicked things off for Royston, going in at half-time 2-0 up.

Bridges added the Crows’ third after 68 minutes with a 25-yard free-kick, before Marriott tucked away his third penalty in three games after 75 minutes. He completed his hat-trick after 79 minutes.

The newly promoted Crows earned a first campaign at step three in their 143-year history by winning the South Midlands Premier last term. After a half-season of adapting to the league, Castle believes his side have ‘stamped authority’ in their new surroundings.

Leyton Orient legend Castle said: “It means the world to me to be where we are. To be able to compete for promotion and get into step two would be unthinkable. We’re playing against teams like Hereford - who I was fortunate enough to play against at Edgar Street - who are a fully fledged league club.

“The top teams in this league have fanbases of over a thousand. We’re punching way above our weight but I enjoy it, I love being the underdog to take on the big teams.

“Everything’s looking positive but nothing is certain in football.

“We could overtake Tiverton but the other teams in the play-offs are there on merit. We’ve got to play some huge games against the big teams teams. It’s going to be really interesting.”

Royston host mid-table Chesham United next, who have had wins at Basingstoke and Tiverton, before St Neots Town, who are four games without a win, visit.

It’s been nine home games since the Crows were beaten at home, and that was to Hereford. With a crunch play-off match against Weymouth on the horizon, these two games are essential.

Castle said: “Our record at home is excellent. Chesham have made some good signings and got better results. It won’t be a rollover like the last two games but we fancy ourselves at home.

“They’re good teams who expect at least a point from most of their games. They might come with a defensive attitude so it’s up to us to break them down.”