PREVIEW | Evesham United v Fleet Town

The Robins sit fifth, occupying the final Southern League Division One South play-off berth heading into Saturday's home clash with second-bottom Fleet Town (3pm).

United have a two-point cushion on sixth-placed Winchester City but have two fewer games to play than the three teams directly below them.

Add to that the presence of leaders Blackfield & Langley, Moneyfields and Cirencester Town – all currently in the top four – in their run-in and Collicutt reckons forthcoming matches with Fleet, at Paulton Rovers and at home to Bristol Manor Farm are likely to prove decisive.

“We have to give ourselves a fighting chance over these next three games by getting as close as possible to maximum points,” said Collicutt.

“They will be very difficult games but then you look at the next batch with three of those top four to come.

“Teams seem to be taking points off one another left, right and centre but the ones that put together back-to-back wins will be the ones to make it. We have to start doing that and fast.

“It is so tight and I have a feeling it could all go down to the last game so we have to put ourselves in the best-possible position.”

Fleet have been in the lower reaches all season but have proved to be no mugs, recently toppling title-chasing Yate.

“I was fortunate enough to never get relegated as a player but was involved in relegation battles,” added Collicutt.

“I know which end of the table I prefer to be at and the teams like Fleet are having to fight tooth and nail week after week.

“They battled and scrapped when we went to their place and went a goal up. We bounced back to win the game but it came as no surprise to me that they turned Yate over.

“You have to appreciate this is a team fighting for its life. They have a young side that will scratch around for everything and many managers I speak to say the same, that they will be very difficult to break down.”

Evesham’s cause will be boosted by the availability of defender Shayne Anson.