DIDCOT Town boss Andy Ballard is backing his side to bounce back following last weekend’s 5-1 mauling at Berkhamsted, which dented his side’s play-off aspirations.

Didcot’s heaviest defeat of their Evo-Stik South League Division 1 Central campaign came completely out of the blue after a run of good results.

But although Ballard was disappointed, he has called on the Railwaymen to bounce back quickly – however a match against big-spending Bromsgrove Sporting at the Loop Meadow Stadium today is hardly ideal.

“Last Saturday was a really poor performance,” he said.

“Too many players had an off day and we were punished for every mistake.

“The defeat, I believe, gave us an opportunity to take a good look at ourselves to see what we need to do in our last six games to secure a play-off finish.”

Bromsgrove are just two points off top spot with only four defeats all season, but Didcot have produced notable results against leading sides this season.

Ballard added: “We’ve had a really good week of training, but we know how tough the game will be.

“After this match, we will have a clear picture of what we need to do in the final few weeks.”

Pablo Haysham remains side-lined with a knee injury for an otherwise full-strength squad.

Back-to-back defeats for Thame United have severely dented their play-off hopes, but boss Mark West says they won’t give up until the last ball is kicked.

A 2-0 defeat at home to Coleshill last Saturday was followed by a 1-0 midweek loss against Peterborough Sports.

Although four places lower than this time last week, Thame are still only three points outside the play-off places.

They travel to fellow top-five hopefuls Bedford Town tomorrow, with West hoping for a productive end to the season.

“We’ve more than matched some of the best sides, including Peterborough on Tuesday,” he said.

“But the goals have dried up lately and we’ve missed a lot of chances. We are still creating them, but we’re just not converting.

“Obviously that has to change if we have any aspirations, but it’s not over.

“We’re going to try to win all of our games. If we went mad and won six on the trot, we’ll be in there.

“Even five would probably be enough. We will keep going until the end.”

West names an unchanged squad for the trip to Bedford.

North Leigh travel to Coleshill Town tomorrow, six points behind Aylesbury and eight away from the safety of 18th spot.

With just six games to go, the Millers face a mammoth task to avoid relegation.

They are, however, boosted by Harry Grant, who returns after a three-match suspension.

By contrast, Kidlington took a huge step towards winning their battle against the drop following an excellent 3-0 win at Dunstable Town last weekend.

They entertain Aylesbury United at Yarnton Road tomorrow looking to extend their run to four straight victories.

Boss Julian McCalmon names an unchanged squad.

Banbury United face a crunch clash at St Neots Town in Premier Division Central.

Tomorrow’s hosts occupy the final relegation place and are nine points behind Mike Ford’s side.

But Banbury have won just once in their last nine matches and are now anxiously looking over their shoulder.

An injury-time defeat to Biggleswade last weekend saw Banbury fall to 17th in the table.

And tomorrow’s result could go a long way to determining whether they face a nervous end to the season.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Didcot Tn (v Bromsgrove Sporting, home): from Bedwell, Barder, Carnell, McNeill, Learoyd, M Williams, Hayden, McNish, Hackett, Barcelos, Dennis, L Williams, Thomas, Gardner, Reid.

Thame Utd (v Bedford Tn, away): from Hill, Mepham, Lynn, Gledhill, Essex, Tack, Fasanmade, Sturgess, Tutton, Goss, Ashworth, Martin, Jewell, Carter, West, Peake-Pijnen.

North Leigh (v Coleshill Tn, away): from Cavanagh, Ngathe, Peart, Barratt, Gunn, A Grant, Pinn, Seacole, Hunte, Landers, Singh, Alabi, Martei, Saunders, James.

Kidlington (v Aylesbury Utd, home): from Warrell, Castle, Quainton, Bernasconi, Franklin, Martin, Gabbidon, Willoughby, Osborne-Ricketts, Benjamin, Coyle, Tooke, Browne, Odhiambo, Jordan, Talboys.