ANDY Preece wants to draw the crowds to St George's Lane on Saturday by winning a make-or-break game tonight.

The City boss is targeting three points from a play-off crunch clash at Altrincham that could boost their outside hopes of a top-five place or finally end the quest.

Preece's seventh-placed Nationwide North team are five points behind the Cheshire outfit but just as crucial is Kettering Town's visit to Stalybridge Celtic tonight.

If results go Worcester's way, they could be four points off a play-off spot with three games to go, but defeat at Altrincham and a Kettering victory would create an insurmountable gap.

Preece, whose side were held 0-0 by bogey side Stafford Rangers at the weekend, wants success tonight to set up a big crowd-puller at home to Barrow on Saturday.

He said: "We've got to win at Altrincham to give everyone a huge incentive to come and watch us.

"It's on our shoulders to win and bring a few more supporters through the gate. Unless we win, I don't think the floating fans are going to turn up."

Ex-Crystal Palace striker Preece is relishing a big-game atmosphere at Moss Lane after eight victories in 10 games set up a scenario that seemed most unlikely when he took over in February.

He said: "Altrincham are going to put out their strongest team. I think it will be a tough game and one that we look forward to.

"At least we are in a game that is big for both teams and in the right way too. These are great to play in and I hope we can keep it going to the last three games of the season to make sure they are all big games."

Young defender Dan Parker may return to the substitutes bench if he passes a late fitness test on a foot injury and Preece could be tempted to make a rare start in attack.

Defender Paul Carty plays despite Saturday's dismissal for two yellow cards and serve his one-game ban for the visit of new league leaders Droylsden on April 23.

Droylsden took over at the top during the weekend due to Southport's 3-2 defeat at Redditch, while Harrogate have drifted out of Worcester's sights.