While Dorchester have worked themselves into a strong position for the Conference South play-offs, it looks as if tomorrow's visitors Basingstoke Town may just miss the boat.

Although the task is still mathematically possible for the north Hampshire club, back-to-back defeats against Sutton United and Bishop's Stortford have left them four points adrift of the play-off zone with just two games to play.

Basingstoke manager Ernie Howe is naturally disappointed, but when he casts his mind back to this time last year, he can't help but be chuffed with what Stoke have achieved.

He said: "Putting everything into perspective, I've got to be satisfied. This time last year we were sitting looking at the Ryman Premier play-offs and then we got tonked by Lewes and thought we'd missed out.

"But then suddenly we found ourselves in the new league (when Hendon withdrew) and it looks as if we'll get a top-ten finish. If somebody had told me that last April, I'd have said 'thanks very much.'

With other results going Dorchester's way last Saturday, Mark Morris's dark horses have galloped up to fourth spot with two matches remaining.

Matt Groves, Magpies' 24-goal former Pompey marksman, swept the board at last week's player-of-the-year awards and warned: "I haven't scored for four games because I'm saving some up for the last two and the play-offs.

"All the lads reckon we're meant to be in the play-offs and, if we get there, I believe the boss is right when he says we will be difficult to beat."

l Havant & Waterlooville hope to have their influential player/co-assistant manager Dean Holdsworth back for tomorrow's final home game against Margate.

With the former Bolton Wanderers and Wimbledon striker laid up in bed with flu, Hawks looked distinctly off-colour in last week's 3-1 defeat at St Albans City.

"He is a natural leader on the park and we missed his ability to organise things," admitted co-boss Shaun Gale.