KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have raised the stakes ahead of their survival showdown with Rushden and Diamonds by billing it as the biggest game in their history.

Harriers can move to within one point of their former Conference foes and edge nearer to the League Two safety line if they wins Saturday's six-pointer at Aggborough.

And a "Your club needs you" message has been issued by the club with chairman, manager and players all appealing for the Kidderminster community to support them.

Skipper Wayne Hatswell led the battle cry, insisting the players were well aware of the need for maximum points to continue their recent revival.

He said: "This will probably be the most important game the club has ever played because if we win it we're right on their tails.

"We only need to get a better result than them the next week and then we're above them and in sight of safety."

Dean Keates, who scored the penalty double that put Harriers on the road to victory at Notts County last weekend, supported his captain's comments.

""It will be one of the biggest days in the club's history so if people are thinking of going shopping or doing something else we want them to forget that and come to Aggborough."

Boss Stuart Watkiss is in positive mood but admitted the Rushden clash was one they can ill afford to lose.

"If we can get a positive result and close in on them it will give us a great chance," he said."Equally they know if they beat us then they've got one foot in the League for next season.

"I know nothing will be decided for definite this weekend but it's all set up to be a right humdinger.

"I'm struggling to think of a match where the stakes are much higher than two clubs fighting tooth and nail to stay in the League.

"We need the people of Kidderminster to come and help us because we're all in this together."

Chairman Colin Youngjohns paid tribute to the Harriers faithful and appealed to the occasional supporters to join them in their droves on Saturday. "We need the punters who come regularly to bring a neighbour, auntie, uncle, cousin, their mate from work or somebody they know from down the pub," he said.

"It doesn't matter who they normally support, they need to get down to Aggborough and support this town's football club."

Harriers are hoping for a repeat both on and off the pitch of the Rushden clash in April 2000 which put the club well on the way to the Conference title and attracted a bumper gate of over 6,000.

They will be without Tom Bennett after the midfielder's 10th booking of the season at Nott County triggered a two-match suspension.

Their preparations have also been disrupted by injuries to John Danby (finger), Mark Jackson (back), Johnny Mullins (hamstring), Chris Beardsley (foot) and Lee Jenkins (knee), although all are expected to play.