IT'S approaching make or break time for Bromsgrove Rovers' promotion hopes.

The Victoria Ground club host local rivals Evesham United in the Dr Martens Western Division tomorrow (3pm) trailing second-placed Weston by six points.

Rovers have suffered a miserable run of just two wins in nine games and joint manager Gary Hackett admits it's time to haul themselves out their slump.

"It has been a difficult time over the last couple of weeks with Ashley Read's death and we've not been able to move forward," he said.

"But we had Ashley's funeral on Monday and though we are not going to forget him we now have to move on and get back to football matters and quickly.

"We've had a bad run and we need to shake out of it and step another level and there is nothing better to snap you out of it than a local derby with a lot at stake.

"From Redditch our results have not been what we would have liked, nor the performance level either.

"Players are not playing at the top of their game but you make your own luck in football and we need to be more positive and more determined.

"We won't chuck in the towel not matter what happens. There's still 10 games to go and our aim is to finish as high as we can and where that takes us we will see."

Evesham boss Phil Mullen is upbeat ahead of the clash and has seen his side win their last three matches, scoring nine goals in the process.

New signing Mark Shepherd has hit a rich vein of form with seven goals in six matches and Mullen is relishing a return to the Victoria Ground where he was once manager.

"I love going back to Rovers but all I'm interested in is our performance," he said.

"We've put all the uncertainty at Christmas behind us and have settled down to put in some decent displays."

Both clubs have been hit by suspension with Darren Bullock out for Rovers and Wes Joyce banned for Evesham.

Mullen is hoping new signing Paul Oakey has recovered from a calf strain while Bromsgrove defender Steve Pope (ankle) faces a late fitness test.