LEE Peacock has hailed Paul Sturrock's first year at the County Ground as a pivotal time in Town's history, admitting not many managers could have filled the void left by Dennis Wise.

Marking the passing of Sturrock's first Town anniversary yesterday, Peacock insists Wise's defection to Leeds could have derailed the Robins - had it not been for the arrival of the shrewd Scot.

Since Sturrock's appointment on November 7, 2006, Town have enjoyed continual success, carrying on where Wise left off with just 14 defeats from 48 games and promotion from League Two.

Despite a winless three-match run, Town are just four points off the play-off places with a game in hand, and midfielder Peacock believes Sturrock deserves a lot of the credit.

He said: "I think the end to Tuesday's game summed up the Paul Sturrock era here. There is a never-say-die attitude at the club and the manager has had so much to do with that.

"He has brought a fitness. It is not the first to the 90th minute, it is the first to the 95th minute.

"However long the game lasts, the team spirit has been shown in spades and that will help us in the coming few weeks.

"He wants us working hard, that is the base of the whole performance. If you are lazy and not doing things you will get found out and the gaffer won't let us do that."

Dennis Wise and Gus Poyet's shock departure to Elland Road after just four months at the helm had many Town fans fearing the worst and Peacock admits the players also worried what would happen next.

"When Wisey left the club it was a terrible feeling," said Peacock. "Everyone was down because it looked as though things were going right on the field and he was such a big person to lose, and Gus.

"Getting Paul Sturrock was a massive appointment for us.

"There were not many managers who could have come in and filled the likes of Wisey's shoes.

"We did not want a stop gap manager, we wanted someone we could believe in and the gaffer is just that.

"He has done it time and time and time again with different teams.

"He has brought players from previous clubs who he knows can do jobs.

"Our football may not be the best technically, and we are not the best footballing side in the league, but we will be effective and the gaffer wants us playing in a certain style that he knows gets results."