They say patience, in life, is a virtue. Clearly in football, it's a pre-requisite of the job; certainly Dean Coleman would agree.

The former Walsall and Willenhall Town shot-stopper has had very limited opportunities in Mark Yates' side since joining this past summer, but reacted well to being thrown into the deep end in recent games at Crawley and Cambridge.

Indeed it seems there's no way other than 'in at the deep end' to introduce young goalkeepers to the action, given that they're almost always thrust into the limelight after injury or suspension to a colleague.

But after biding his time, Coleman is ready to build on his efforts in the previous two matches in order to stake a claim for a new deal next term.

Speaking to us for the Oktopus Interview after Saturday's game at the Abbey Stadium, Deano admitted it's been a pretty difficult season so far, but he's never let up on his workload.

"It's been a long season so far and it's been difficult being on the bench," he said.

"But I've just had to keep training hard and working because I needed to be ready when my chance came.

"I've had a little bit of bad luck back in the first half of the season but this year has been a bit of a new start.

"You're chance is always going to come so you just need to make sure you're ready and in the right shape; keep on top of your training as well as doing that little bit extra to get your fitness levels up.

"When you're training well your confidence builds and that means when you do get to play, you're ready to do a job.

"My confidence has been pretty high this year so when I got between the sticks I knew what I had to do.

"It was a good run-out on Thursday and the lads played well and that helped going into the weekend.

"We knew going to Cambridge that it would be a difficult game, they're a big physical side who keep the ball well.

"But our own confidence has been up there lately and we put in a good performance going through the game."

Harriers' 3-0 success in Cambridgeshire was a measure of success for this youthful, exuberant side, but it was also the tale of two rookie goalkeepers preparing for a fairly big occasion in front of just under 4,000 supporters.

Both Coleman and his opposite number Alex McCarthy had more than the match itself to contend with, as adverse weather and several tonnes' worth of sand on the playing surface meant the conditions were far from ideal.

"The conditions were very bad and that with everything else meant there was quite a bit of pressure on, and I was a bit nervous to start with," added the 22 year-old.

"But as the match went on I got into the swing of things a bit more and I felt better as I got used to things.

"I knew it would be a difficult game and I knew I'd be busier but I think I did well, I kept my composure.

"The conditions didn't help and my kicking was a bit bad at times but other than that I think I did okay."

The weekend success rounded off a pretty decent month for Harriers, who picked up five wins from eight games in March, being narrowly beaten in the remaining three.

Home form ahead of tonight's game with FA Trophy Finalists Ebbsfleet United has come solid, but 4-0 and 3-0 wins away from home has seen the form away from Aggborough take an upward turn.

Matthew Barnes-Homer was cited by Coleman as another example of a player who is now taking his chance, notching two more goals on Saturday.

The goalkeeper continued: "At the end of the day, everyone's fighting for their place.

"Barsney was in the same situation as me - with the older professionals in front of him - but he's got in and he's scoring goals, and like on Saturday, is taking his chances very well.

"He's got that place now and he wants to stay and that's the same with me and everyone else - we all just want to keep on playing."

Coleman, along with fellow-shot stopper Chris MacKenzie, is out of contract at Aggborough at the end of the season and is determined to keep up his efforts so far to land a new deal.

He went on to admit that should he and team mate MacKenzie find themselves still in Worcestershire next term, he'll relish the duel for the spot between the sticks with the former Shrewsbury Town man.

"I just want to keep training and working hard and hopefully that can carry on into games," said Coleman.

"I want to keep performing as well as I can and if I can do that then hopefully I can stay between the sticks.

"A run in the team makes me even hungrier to play because I get that taste of what it's like to be involved

"Chris and I get on really well, and like an older pro he's obviously there to offer any advice on anywhere where I might be going wrong and it would be nice to play with him next year."