ROCHDALE visit Oxford United tomorrow in the thick of the relegation battle – but their outlook has not been this bright for months.

A goalless draw at Spotland with the U’s in December saw Dale slip into the bottom four in Sky Bet League One.

They stayed there until Tuesday night, when a home draw with Plymouth Argyle took them out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

And boss Keith Hill has challenged his side to beat United and continue their climb away from trouble.

He told the club’s website: “It’s probably between three or four sides now.

“It’s going to go down to the wire, so you’ve got to try and keep your nerve, and what will be, will be.

“The players are fighting. They’re trying to do everything they possibly can.

“We’ve made up all those points to get where we are at this moment in time.

“We got two games left and it’s in our hands. Embrace it, go for it, take it on.”

He added: “Let’s try and do our best to six points out of the next two games.”