CHESHAM United could be just two games away from Conference League football after completing a comeback that has had to be seen to be believed.

The Generals were second from bottom at the start of winter, but the team’s best run of form since Andy Leese took over six years ago propelled them up the table before a 2-0 win at Redditch last weekend, thanks to Dave Lambert and Simon Thomas, confirmed their place in the promotion play-offs.

Leese said: “In the last 15 games, a third of the season, we’ve been on a fantastic run. It’s been amazing.

“I didn’t start using that language until last week, but it’s just the consistency of performance.

“In that run we’ve only had two indifferent halves. That tells its own story.”

Successive six-goal hammerings of St Albans and AFC Totten at the start of the year kick-started Chesham’s revival, which continued with a 2-1 away victory over then-leaders Hemel Hempstead Town.

They are now unbeaten in 17 games in all competitions while in the league they have taken a quite staggering 38 points of the last 42 available.

After what’s gone before this year – no league wins between September 4 and December 1 and a dismal FA Cup loss to Northwood – Chesham’s achievement cannot be understated.

Leese said: “We’ve had some dark days, but we’re in the Senior Cup Final, we had a fantastic run in the FA Trophy and we’re in the play-offs again.

“I could name plenty of clubs that would love to be in our position.”

This year’s success follows an unbroken run of good finishes under Leese.

He said: “We’ve never been out of the top six in any division we’ve been in, and in the Premier Division we’ve improved our points total every year.

“There has been progress every year and I’m really proud of that. It shows that myself and John Meakes are serious about our craft.

“For those that want to knock us, look at the trends and results rather than those few blips.

“A lot of people, and people within the club, have doubted us. We’ve certainly silenced them.”

Hemel Hempstead Town, Barwell, Gosport Borough and Arlesey are all now vying to join them and Stourbridge in the play-off semi-finals next Tuesday.

Leese said: “There are no give-mes in this game. We know the job is not done.

“We’re not stumbling over the line and we’re not fearing anyone, but we respect the teams around us.”