WORCESTER City will qualify for the play-offs by winning their final five matches and scoring a hatful of goals.

That's my fanciful forecast as a fascinating Nationwide North campaign enters the final furlong.

Harrogate Town, Kettering Town and Altrincham block the path to City completing one of the most astonishing season turnarounds in the club's history.

But if April's results go according to the form-book, Andy Preece's side can clinch fifth place on goal difference.

Of course, I would advise punters not to wager on my predictions. Back in December, I tipped Kettering to storm to the championship after humbling Worcester at Rockingham Road!

City will come up short if they drop points from now until their final day duel at Gainsborough Trinity.

However, if they overcome bogey side Stafford Rangers at Marston Road this Saturday, which is arguably the toughest of all five fixtures, nobody would back against Worcester racking up a further 12 points.

So where will Harrogate, Kettering and Altrincham drop points?

Unfortunately, Harrogate and Altrincham will gain easy home victories tonight as they defeat Bradford Park Avenue and Hucknall Town respectively. And on Grand National Saturday, the trio are sure to avoid falling at Becher's Brook by registering three more points.

Kettering, though, can expect to drop two points at a resurgent Stalybridge Celtic on April 12, while another draw at Hucknall the following Saturday sets them back.

Then on the final day of the campaign, the Poppies will come crashing with a tough end-of-season trip to high-flying Nuneaton Borough.

For Harrogate, the wheels won't come off their play-off charge until the final two games. The Yorkshire outfit should sweep past Moor Green, but a trip to Worksop will end in defeat and Southport can clinch the title at Wetherby Road.

Altrincham boast the easiest run-in of all and look handily placed to squeeze a top-five spot if they hold their nerve.

But defeat at Moss Lane to Worcester next Tuesday should throw a spanner in their works, resulting in further blips against Greater Manchester neighbours Stalybridge and final-day opponents Hucknall Town, who will be brimming with confidence ahead of a likely FA Trophy final.

All in all, that will leave the Robins languishing on 69 points, with City level on 71 with Kettering and Harrogate.

It means goal difference will come into play to split the sides, a factor which benefits Harrogate as the league table stands today.

Therefore, the goalscoring exploits of Adam Webster and Leon Kelly could prove the key to Worcester's final outcome.

Webster is enjoying the best ever form at St George's Lane and every time the ball bounces at his feet, City supporters are expecting a goal.

Kelly was awesome in Worcester's 4-0 routing of Hinckley, giving the ultimate display in power and pace, while the long-range strike that gave City the lead was special.

Now that Kelly has ended his barren spell in front of goal, Preece's side can brag two strikers at the very top of their game.

All that remains is for the deadly duo to keep hitting the scoresheet as Worcester battle to complete their high-five. Here's predicting!