GRAHAM Turner is confident his Hereford United side will hold their nerve to swat aside Stevenage Borough in the Nationwide Conference play-offs.

Around 1,400 travelling supporters are gearing up to roar the Bulls on during Monday's semi-final first-leg showdown at Broadhall Way (5pm).

United are favourites to book their spot in the Villa Park final on May 14 after finishing the season on a high, losing just once in their last 16 league games to claim the runners-up spot for the second year running.

But Graham Westley's Stevenage outfit also enter the Sky Sports-televised clash in good spirits, registering four wins in five to pinch fifth place in the table.

However, form failed to guarantee Hereford success last season as they crashed to Aldershot on penalties despite leading up to the play-offs on the back of an amazing 11-match winning streak.

"Last year we were in terrific form but I don't think that is a major thing. It did not matter in the end." said Turner. "The preparation was right last season. Unfortunately, we just did not get the breaks.

"We were made to suffer from a dubious penalty and the sending-off. Things like that you can't legislate for. But if I could go back, I would still have prepared the players the same way.

"However, we are in good form and that has given us plenty of confidence going into the first leg. Certainly, we'll be looking to keep that form going but we know how hard it will be.

"One or two players have left since last year and so the whole play-off experience is a new thing for some of them.

"There will be a bit of nervousness among the players closer to the game, of course. It's one of those situations where the team that handles the occasion better will probably make it through and I'm confident that will be us.

"I don't think you can make predictions for the first game. But Stevenage has been a good ground for us and we won there recently. Obviously, we'll be looking for another good result, but it will be tough. Stevenage are a big, strong side."

Turner is boosted by the return of club captain Tony James from an ankle injury. The centre-half started for the Bulls in back-to-back reserve fixtures against Hednesford Town and Kidderminster Harriers.

He added: "Tony will be fit and we'll have to make a decision on him. But if you look at our record without Tony, we have conceded two goals in nine games with Tamika Mkandwire and Andy Tretton in central defence. Defensively, we have been excellent during that run."

Stevenage have no injury worries ahead of the game and boss Westley is expecting to pick his strongest side possible, with midfielders George Boyd and Simon Weatherstone back on the bench.

Westley admits the Hertfordshire club is buzzing with excitement at the chance of reaching the Football League for the first time in their history.

He said: "The mood is electric. The players are calm and confident and there is a sense that we know what we have to do. We are the form team over 30 games and we have won the last three games. We know what it's all about on Monday and at the moment we're just concentrating on that.

"In the last game against Hereford we lost the game in the 10 minutes after half-time but I don't think we should read too much into that.

"It's just been a normal week for us. Our preference will be to win well on Monday but we take it as it comes."