ANDY Preece has called on the St George's Lane faithful to help drive Worcester City on to victory during tomorrow's crunch relegation tussle with Vauxhall Motors.

Player-manager Preece believes the home support can act as City's 12th man as they strive to engineer a route out of Nationwide North's bottom six.

Worcester were sucked to within five points of the drop zone in mid-week when struggling Stalybridge Celtic beat Redditch United, while Owen Brown's Motormen lost their first game in five to Merseyside rivals Runcorn FC Halton.

Prior to their 2-1 loss at Rivacre Park on Tuesday night, Ellesmere Port-based Vauxhall clocked up 10 league points from a possible 12 and Preece considers them dangerous opponents.

However, veteran striker Preece is sure City can land their first win in 2005 with a repeat of the display that grabbed a point at Alfreton Town last week.

"They are all big games as you get towards this stage of the season," said Preece. "With Stalybridge winning in the week, we need to try and keep a nice cushion between ourselves and those at the bottom.

"It's a big game for both teams but we go into the game with a lot of confidence. We probably deserved to win the game at Alfreton and we kept a clean sheet. Hopefully, it will spur us on to put a string of results together.

"I'm really after the same performance. That's what I'll be telling the players. I know Vauxhall Motors play some good football and they knock it about a bit. But we are at home and we should be able to beat them."

Preece added: "The sooner we get a win at home the better. We've got to try and get the fans going and try to get a lot more through the turnstiles. It's important that they do get behind the team and give the players that confidence.

"I've known during my career that sometimes it's easier to play from home when things are not going so well, because there's more pressure in front of your own support.

"But saying that, the Worcester fans have been great in the two games I've been here. They have given excellent support even though we lost the games. All I've heard when walking off after the games is encouragement from supporters."

Preece is still a doubt to start for City after hurting his ribs in the defeat to Gainsborough but defenders Les Hines and Shabir Khan should return to the squad after returning from respective calf and groin injuries.

James Coates, who played seven games for City earlier this season, is expected to replace suspended Danny McDonnell in goal.

Preece added: "Danny will be sorely missed. The only good thing is that he is only missing for one game because it could have been worse.

"Danny has been excellent. The reports I had on Danny before I came to Worcester were very good and what I've seen of him so far backs that up. He's going to be a big part in my plans for the club."