MANAGER Paul Collicutt is calling on Evesham United’s fanbase to “turn out in force” for tomorrow’s crunch showdown with heavyweights Salisbury (3pm).

The Whites, formerly a member of non-league’s top flight under a previous guise, head to the Jubilee with a seven-point lead over the third-placed Robins and the benefit of two games in hand.

Collicutt admits third-placed United must win to keep alive the race for the second automatic promotion place in Southern League West – for the rest of the league as much as themselves.

And on the back of some tasty tussles last season, not least the heartbreaking play-off semi-final defeat after extra-time in Wiltshire, Collicutt wants United’s supporters to give their side an edge.

“They will bring a fair few up with them and on Saturday more than ever we need the people of Evesham to turn out in force and be vocal,” said Collicutt.

“The matches over the past two seasons will no doubt give it plenty of spice. The first game we had with them last season was our first and we lost right at the death. We then won an eventful game at our place 3-2 but then lost out in the play-offs there.

“I can remember the local radio guy saying it had been one of the most outstanding matches he had seen at any level. It was one hell of a game.

“It bugs me even now. We had a player sent off and got done by a penalty in the last minute of extra-time. It still hurts and I know the players feel that way too.

“Each meeting with them has been feisty. They were scoring goals for fun in the early part of the season and we managed to get a 0-0 there.

“Looking at the league table, Taunton and Salisbury are first and second and people are saying they will be the top two.

“I can fully understand that and to keep alive our hopes of automatic promotion, we need to take three points.

“We haven’t given up hope. They have breathing space and other teams come into the equation because it is tight between the teams in the play-off places and just outside too.

“To keep the season going for everyone underneath that top two, we have to be positive and try to gun for the win. I cannot see Taunton dropping away but if we could make up three on Salisbury, it would pose a few questions.

“We have a hard run in but so do they. I still firmly believe any team in the top 13 could get into the play-offs.”

Evesham have re-signed attacker Garyn Preen who left Hereford FC at the end of February after scoring six goals.

Striker Cameron Ebbutt, 19, has joined on a month's loan from League One side Bristol Rovers.