DAVE Boddy believes Worcester City can scoop the maximum 15 points from their end-of-season run-in -- providing they triumph at Stafford Rangers and Altrincham.

In-form City need to land five straight wins to give themselves a realistic opportunity of edging a play-off place in Nationwide North.

The outcome of Worcester's next two league fixtures, tough trips to Marston Road this Saturday and Moss Lane next Tuesday, could prove decisive in their attempts for a top-five finish.

City chairman Boddy reckons attaining six points over the next six days will give the club a huge lift ahead of their final three games of the campaign.

Boddy said: "These next two games are the most crucial for us. I think if we can come through them with maximum points, then I'm confident we can then win our last three games.

"We have got to keep believing and take each game as it comes. If we take six points from Stafford and Altrincham, you have to believe it's possible that we will take maximum points after that."

Rangers have acquired the bogey-team tag after going seven games unbeaten against City in league meetings.

Worcester defeated Phil Robinson's men 2-1 in the Conference Cup earlier this season but their last league victory over Stafford came on November 18, 2000, when goals from Mark Owen and Ian Reed secured a 2-1 away success.

But Boddy added: "Records are there to be broken I suppose. We had an even worse record against Bath City until we beat them 7-0 last season. We struggled to beat them for about 16 games before that.

"Stafford are a good, well-organised and well-disciplined side. They don't concede many goals."

City's play-off hopes took a knock last night following Harrogate Town's 2-1 victory over Yorkshire rivals Bradford Park Avenue.

Lowly Bradford took a surprise 1-0 half-time lead through Steve Oleksewycz but Danny Holland's quick-fire brace sent Town fourth and nine points clear of Worcester, although they have played an extra game.

The result condemned rock-bottom Avenue to relegation from Nationwide North.

However, another of City's play-off challengers, fifth-placed Altrincham, dropped two points as they drew 1-1 against a second-string Hucknall Town at Moss Lane.

City midfielders John Snape and Tom Warmer will be given a much-needed run-out tonight as Worcester's reserves entertain Nuneaton Borough at St George's Lane in a Central Conference fixture (7.45pm).

Liam McDonald, Dan Parker, James Smith and Lewis Skyers will also be involved.

City go to Sutton Coldfield tonight in the Midland Floodlit Youth League Cup semi-finals (7.45pm).