Colchester United defender Billy Cracknell to extend loan spell at Bishop's Stortford until the end of the season

Billy Cracknell is set to play a longer role in Bishop's Stortford's promotion push by extending his loan spell from Colchester United until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old defender joined the Blues from the Sky Bet League Two strugglers at the end of November and manager Steve Smith wants to keep him on board for the remainder of their Pitching In Isthmian League, Premier Division campaign.

Stortford followed up a 3-1 win over Bognor Regis Town last Tuesday (Jan 25) with a frustrating 0-0 draw at bottom side Leatherhead on Saturday, with Darren Foxley sent off on the hour mark for two bookings.

But they still moved up one place to third ahead of this Saturday's home match with mid-table Corinthian-Casuals.

"We wanted the three points, but that's football," said Smith, whose side are also scheduled to visit Potters Bar Town on Tuesday. "Since the Hornchurch game [a 2-0 defeat on January 8] we've taken 10 points from 12 and you're not really going to get better than that.

"It's exciting where we are so we've got to keep it going and keep in the mix."