Crewe Alexandra midfielder Jack Powell says their win at promotion-chasing Swindon Town lays down a bit of a marker for the rest of the Alex's play-off rivals going into the last dozen games of the season.
The Railwaymen's 2-1 victory at the County Ground was their fourth in their last seven League Two matches and lifted them into sixth place in the table.
It was only Swindon's second home defeat of 2026 as they failed to keep the pressure on the three teams in the automatic promotion spots above them.
Powell said the Alex's win sent out the message they are serious top-seven contenders.
"When you [win] away from home," he told BBC Radio Stoke. "It gives the team confidence.
"We know we've got some big games to come. We're in and around it.
"We've got some teams to play who are up in the play-offs so we know we can go and perform against these sides."
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Crewe, who are still without several key players because of injury, face two teams currently above them - MK Dons in third and second-placed Cambridge United - and two below them - seventh-placed Chesterfield and Walsall, ninth, over the remaining 12 games.
The meeting with the Spireites, on the final day of the league campaign, could prove vital to Crewe's chances of making the play-offs for the second time in three seasons.
Powell said the Swindon win would "stand them in good stead" for the run-in and added he just wants to build on being an influential figure in the side having missed three months of the season with a groin injury.
"I'm full of excitement at the minute," he said.
"I've played seven on the bounce now and that [Swindon game] was my second or third 90 minutes in a very long time.
"That's what gets you to where you need to be and I'm grateful I'm getting the opportunity to play. I'm really pleased to be contributing."