MARK Owen believes there will be a 'cup final' edge to Worcester City's encounter at Newport County tomorrow.

Back-to-back defeats have left City nursing a New Year's hangover that will only be eased by victory over their in-form Spytty Park hosts.

But with City's season delicately poised in the Dr Martens Premier Division, and the ante being increased match-by-match, the pressure is building for John Barton's side whose target of a prized place in next year's revamped Conference is the least of their ambitions.

Owen, who returned to goalscoring form at Dover last week with his fifth goal of the season, admits it's a massive game that will carry the one off feel of a cup final -- and one they can't lose.

"A negative result will give Newport a six point cushion between us so there's even greater importance for us to get something out of the game," said Owen.

"It will be difficult because they've been quite strong over the years but we've not done too badly there and it's a good match to get our teeth into after the Dover game.

"All the games coming up are ones that we can't afford to slip up in and tomorrow's match will be like a cup final.

"In fact every match for the next few months will be like a cup final because we've got to pick up the points and make sure we're in the top 13.

"But we've got to look further than that. With the league being so tight if we can get over that first hurdle and put together a run of four or five games we can look at getting into the top six."

If Barton's team are to revive their fortunes they must cut out the defensive errors that contributed to Newport firing five past Worcester at the start of November.

However, there is cause for optimism with City winning twice at Spytty Park in the last four years.

Owen scored the winner three seasons ago and he is confident that they can be successful again in tomorrow's re-arranged fixture, brought forward from February 21 after both sides made early exits from the FA Trophy.

"I think if you look at our recent matches we were lucky to get a point at Moor Green, unlucky not to get a draw with Stafford and knocked it on again at Dover but didn't have that bit of luck we needed," said Owen.

"Now we've got to reproduce the kind of display we came out with at Dover."

Peter Nicholas' Exiles side have started the new year in style with two victories which has lifted them above City into eighth place.

Dangerman Neil Davis, the architect of County's victory at St George's Lane, has left the club to join Moor Green.

But his replacement, loan signing Jamie Moralee from Conference outfit Forest Green Rovers, opened his account in the 2-1 victory against Bath City.

FORMCAST: Exiles to win 2-1.