Didcot Town boss Gary Elkins says it is essential they beat tomorrow’s visitors Cinderford Town to keep among the Division 1 South & West play-off chasers.

The Railwaymen moved within three points of fifth-placed Yate Town with a 1-0 win against Shortwood United.

“It was a good result,” said Elkins. “It was a more pleasing than the win at Taunton (5-1) because we had showed a lot of resolve to hold on when they were throwing everyone forward in the last 15 minutes. We showed a lot of character.”

Elkins added: “We are going well and we have got a bit of strength in depth, Lance Williams and Lee Henderson are back in training after injury, so everyone is looking over their shoulders.

“We are in a decent position. We have played more games, everyone is playing everyone else in the next few fixtures. We have got to hope that other sides slip-up.

“So Cinderford is a game we have got to win.”

Didcot will be without Pablo Hay-sham (torn hamstring), though Joel Meade, Ricky Allaway and Marcos Belloli-Pereira should return.

Abingdon United host Bishops Cleeve, while North Leigh travel to Paulton Rovers.

Banbury United manager Edwin Stein says his players have the chance to answer their critics when they entertain Hitchin Town at Spencer Stadium in the Premier Division.

Last Saturday some of the players came in for critisism after the 4-2 loss to Gosport Borough, but Stein felt a first-half spot-kick was the turning point.

Stein said: “We were dominating until  the referee gave a penalty and Wayne Blossom was fouled for their second goal.

“I’m not going to criticise the players, particularly when you think of where we were a few months ago.

“No one thought we would have had this many points and some people had a go at some of the players.

“I thought we competed well against Gosport and I’m looking for us to carry on where we left off.”

Blossom (knee) is an injury doubt.

Tomorrow’s squads

Didcot Tn (v Cinderford Tn) from Belloli-Pereira, S Elkins, Stanley, Osborne-Ricketts, Carnell, Meade, M Janes, Heapy, Wray, M Williams, Hepburn, Bernasconi, Harris, Pereira.

Banbury Utd (v Hitchin, home): from Carter, Cray, Martin, Ashton, Blossom, Sc Bridges, Lait, Skendi, Sharif, Isaac, N’Guessan, Hokins, Talabi, W Plowright, R Plowright, Agyeman-Prempeh.