Brian Caldwell: Micky Mellon here for long run

Mellon is closing in on his second anniversary in charge at the Greenhous Meadow and looking as though he will steer Town to League One safety a year after winning promotion.

Oldham's 0-0 draw at leaders Burton cut the gap to the drop zone from nine points to eight with eight games left.

But Town are on a nine-match unbeaten run which has equalled their longest sequence since spring 2012.

The 44-year-old lost a huge ally when Caldwell's predecessor Matt Williams left last month. But Caldwell, who has been in post for six weeks, has been impressed by his fellow Scot.

Asked if he saw Mellon having a long-term future at the club, Caldwell said: "I think so – everything he's talking to me about is with regards to long-term plans.

"Football management is precarious but he's certainly done well since I've been here.

"Since January he's turned the whole thing around and long may that continue. He's felt the players that have come in since January have strengthened the squad.

"Micky's done really well and I can't fault him – since I came in, he's been unbeaten!

"I'd met him once before I came here and we had a number of conversations on the phone during my notice period at St Mirren. We speak the same language, we've been getting on great and we speak regularly."

Town recently handed Dominic Smith a two-year deal and are in talks with keeper Jayson Leutwiler, but despite 17 players being out of contract this summer, Caldwell said League One safety will take priority over players' futures.

"The difficulty with not being safe in League One is how far you can go down the line with targeting players and talking to your existing players," he added. "League One status is what we're all focusing on right now."