WORCESTER City manager John Barton is tipping Boston United to land the Dr Martens League Premier Division title.

The league leaders come to St George's Lane for a vital match next Monday (7.45), now firmly in the driving seat to finish top and return to the Nationwide Conference.

The Lincolnshire side, who have led the table for most of the season, now have their destiny in their own hands following a 3-0 defeat for title rivals Bath City at Clevedon Town in midweek -- only their second loss of the season.

Boston lead the table by eight points although Bath, whose chances have been hampered by a backlog of fixtures, still have two matches in hand.

However, the title race could be back in the melting pot if City can throw a spanner into the works on Monday.

City lost 2-1 at Boston earlier this month but had a good share of the game.

Having been unlucky not to win when they drew 1-1 at Bath the following week, and not forgetting their 3-2 win at third-placed Burton back in January, it has shown that Barton's men can live with the best if they are on their game.

They could fancy their chances as they bid to take another step closer to safety from relegation.

Barton said: "I felt Boston have been favourites for a long time with what Bath have had to do, and I think they will do it now.

"I think it depends on psychologically how Bath respond from now on in.

"But Boston still have to go on and win it, and they will want to make sure they do that as quickly as possible.

"I would like to think it will work the same way as the Bath game in that we came close in the first game and actually got something the second time."

Before then, City have another tough game on Saturday when they travel to fifth-placed King's Lynn in a rearranged game.

City travelled all the way to Norfolk back in December only for the game to be called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

Thursday, March 23, 2000.