IAN Long feels his Alvechurch side can get even better despite making it nine wins in a row in the Midlands Premier.

The Lye Meadow outfit defeated struggling Dunkirk 4-0 on Saturday after a slew of goals in the final 15 minutes broke the Nottinghamshire side's spirit.

Joshua March opened the scoring in the 79th minute, before Jordan Nadat bagged a hat-trick.

That win was enough to lift Church to second in the table, just a point behind leaders Hereford with three games in hand.

But with less than a quarter of the season played, Long is not getting carried away.

He said: "I actually don't think we played all that well.

"Maybe it's because Dunkirk are struggling a bit and we lowered our standards.

"But we managed to get the goals we needed but against a better side we may have lost.

"We've made a good start but apart from Highgate we have not played anyone in the top half so it's hard to judge us yet."

Meanwhile, Alvechurch have been international clearance to sign Romanian keeper Mihai Gherasim, who has been at Gloria Buzau and had a trial at Northampton Town.

Church, who were set to play Wednesfield at home in the JW Hunt Cup last night, go to Loughborough University on Saturday (3pm ko), who have won their last two matches.

Long has won the Hunt Cup for the previous two seasons at Tividale.

Meanwhile, Alvechurch exited the Birmingham Senior Cup when they were edged out 4-3 by Lye last week.

Long is also still hoping to hold onto Nadat after Halesowen Town put in a seven-day approach.

Nadat is on loan from Sutton but the manager is keen to keep him longer.