ANDY Ballard says finding a level of consistency in Didcot Town’s run-in will be crucial to their play-off challenge.

The Railwaymen sit fourth in the

Evo-Stik South League West Division table as the season begins to enter the home straight.

With no team having played more games than Didcot, however, their manager knows they cannot afford too many slip-ups if they are to maintain their position in the top five.

Ballard’s side are scheduled to host Larkhall Athletic tomorrow, having fought back from 2-0 down to grab a useful 2-2 draw at Yate Town last weekend.

And Didcot’s boss was pleased with his side’s resolute performance.

Ballard said: “The result showed that although we are in fourth place, we need to produce more consistency in our last ten games.

“Our first half performance was below our normal level, but credit to the lads, I got the reaction I was looking for to get back to level terms.”

He added: “The weather obviously makes the game a doubt, but we will prepare as best as we can and be sure that we are ready if the game is on.”

Louis Joyce, Ollie Thomas and Seth Humphries are missing for Didcot.

North Leigh manager John Brough was delighted after his beleaguered team turned in a fine performance to hold runaway leaders Taunton Town to a 1-1 draw at Eynsham Park last weekend.

The side had picked up just one point from the previous ten games, but the Millers boss was thrilled by their performance.

He said: “I was very pleased with the display, but more than anything, the attitude and desire was first-class.

“But the result was a one-off as it stands, as we haven’t put

back-to-back performances together.

“I certainly won’t get carried away with one performance, but all I’m asking for is the same commitment and desire. Hopefully my players will get some belief out of that result.”

If tomorrow’s game away to Mangotsfield United survives, North Leigh welcome Dan James back from suspension, while Piers McGlynn returns from illness.

Ryan Paddock has work commitments with the army and is out for the next two weeks.

Kidlington are due to entertain Evesham United at Yarnton Road, having seen their midweek home clash with Shortwood United fall to the weather, while in the East Division, Thame United are scheduled to travel to Ashford Town (Middlesex).

In the Premier Division, Banbury United visit St Neots Town if their pitch thaws in time.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Didcot Tn (v Larkhall Athletic, home): from Bedwell, Elkins, Woodley, Hayden, McNeil, Cattell, Jeacock, McNish, Barcelos, Murphy, Agyakwa, Reid, Barder, Williams, Ballard, Learoyd.

North Leigh (v Mangotsfield Utd, away): from Grimshaw, Lymn, Harvey, Strong, Keightley, Cook, Chalmers, Shepperd, Simpson, Seacole, Grabe, James, Green, Carroll, McGlynn, Mattock, Brough.

Kidlington (v Evesham Utd, home) from Warrell, E Odhiambo, Castle, Browne, Whitehead, Franklin, Quainton, Gabbidon, Osborne-Ricketts, Benjamin, Martin, Brown, McDonagh, Williams, A Odhiambo.

Thame Utd (v Ashford Tn, away): from Hill, Murray, A Goss, Lynn, Smyth, Davies, Connell, L Goss, Morris, Johnston, Gledhill, Evans, Harrison, Ricketts, Gray, D West, Tack, Connolly.