JULIAN McCalmon has called on his players to step up when struggling Kidlington take on high-flying Corby Town tomorrow.

The side slipped to the bottom of Evo-Stik South League Division 1 Central on New Year’s Day following a 1-0 loss at home to Thame United.

Boss McCalmon is now urging his players to dig deep after suffering four straight defeats.

He said: “It’s been a massively difficult period over Christmas.

“I’ve had a few players who have let myself and the cause down.

“It’s time for my players to roll up their sleeves and get dirty and fight for every point.

“I fully expect us to turn in a performance at Corby. They will be favourites, and we can go into it with nothing to lose.”

Boss Mark West is keeping his feet on the ground, despite seeing Thame move up to fourth.

The side are in the play-off places ahead of a home game with Cambridge City.

He said: “We took six points from our (three) Christmas fixtures, but I don’t really look at the top of the league.

“Our squad’s not the biggest, and we only need a few out and things can be very different.

“We’ve generally played really well at home, but Cambridge have some really good players.

“If we can come through that game, who knows where we can go.”

Aaron Jewell and Aston Goss return, while Matt Peake-Pijnen makes his home debut after signing from Aylesbury.

Didcot Town look to continue their good form when they entertain AFC Dunstable.

The Railwaymen fought back from 2-0 down to earn a 3-3 draw at Sutton Coldfield Town on Tuesday and sit just inside the play-offs.

Despite a six-match unbeaten run, boss Andy Ballard wants his men to focus on defending after conceding 13 goals in that period.

He said: “We’re on a really positive run at the moment with just one defeat in ten.

“However, we have been conceding some really poor goals lately.

“We’re creating lots of chances, but we can’t buy a clean sheet.

“If we want to be successful, we need to be more clinical at both ends of the pitch.”

George Reid (ankle) faces a fitness test, while Lewis Hayden is away.

Michael Alexis is a doubt, but Aaron and Matty Woodley are both sidelined.

North Leigh climbed off the foot of the table when beating Kempston Rovers on Tuesday.

But boss Craig Dore is under no illusions about the magnitude of this weekend’s task as they travel to leaders Peterborough Sports.

He said: “I was delighted with the boys on Tuesday – they showed plenty of character – which I know that they have – to get the points.

“We now need to show that kind of desire and commitment in the remaining 19 games to get us out of this position.”

Andy Gunn (work) and Jack Tutton (injured) are both ruled out.

Banbury United will be looking to build on their New Year’s Day victory over Alvechurch when they host Barwell in Premier Division Central.

TOMORROW’S LINE-UPS

Thame Utd (v Cambridge City, home): from Hill, Mepham, Lynn, Essex, Gledhill, Ashworth, Tack, L Goss, Sturgess, West, Peake-Pijnen, Martin, Murray, Evans, Jewell, A Goss.

Didcot Tn (v AFC Dunstable, home): from Bedwell, Barder, McNeill, Thomas, Carnell, Learoyd, Gardner, McNish, L Williams, Dennis, Hackett, Reid, Humphries, Isaac, Vickery-Taverner, Ballard.

North Leigh (v Peterborough Sports, away): from Cavanagh, Peart, Simms, A Grant, James, H Grant, Seacole, Cowan, Alabi, Pin, Landers, Saunders, Linford-Pill, Ngathe.