IF Worcester City want to retain any outside hopes of winning the Dr Martens Premier Division title, then they've simply got to win Saturday's top-of-the-table showdown with Chippenham Town.

It will be third against second in the division's match of the day at St George's Lane, with both sides desperately needing the points to keep the pressure on title favourites Tamworth.

City can expect another bumper crowd as they face arguably the stiffest test out of all their remaining games this season.

Victory would send out a clear message of intent to Tamworth, but defeat would surely leave John Barton's men with too much to do to make up the gap.

Chippenham leap-frogged City into second place with a 3-1 win at Hednesford on Monday night, and Tommy Saunders' side, who were in the Western League only two years ago, have been a real surprise package in their first season at this level.

Moreover the Wiltshire outfit are proving one of the most difficult sides to beat in the league - they've done the 'double' over title favourites Tamworth and have lost only once since September.

The only down side to their memorable season is that they can't go up to the Nationwide Conference if they win the league as their Hardenhuish Park ground is not up to scratch. If that happens runners-up spot will not be enough for City, as a change of rules now means that only the champions will be considered for promotion.

If the meeting between the sides at Chippenham back in December is anything to go by, there won't be much in it on Saturday.

That game ended 0-0 with defences largely in control, with Jon Holloway in particularly fine form for City playing alongside Carl Heeley in the centre of the back four, although one-time City loan striker Adie Mings missed two glorious opportunities to win it for the home side in the closing minutes.

In addition to picking up as many points as they can, City's best chance of overhauling Tamworth could rest with the Staffordshire side prolonging their run in the FA Trophy.

Tamworth won 2-0 away at City's conquerors Margate on Saturday to reach the quarter-finals, where they will travel to Farnborough Town on March 15.

Having beaten three Conference sides already Tamworth will fancy their chances of another scalp, and if they can get into the semi-finals it could have a distracting effect on their league programme as well as possible fixture congestion.

After Saturday's game City have a well-earned two-week break before their next game, another testing home encounter with fifth-placed Tiverton Town on March 15.

Let's hope they can go into that game boosted by a three-point tonic this weekend.