PHIL Mullen returns to Common Road on Saturday in charge of a team in a worse predicament than when he resigned as Evesham manager in October, writes Mervyn Collins.

However, Cinderford's basement position hides the fact that the Forest of Dean side have drawn their last three Western Division matches - games Mullen insists they could so easily have won.

"We missed a penalty at Clevedon, Team Bath scored a late leveller and we were unlucky not to have come away from Shepshed with the points," the former Robins' man recalled.

Mullen, though, knows better than anyone that it's wins that prove the difference between a relegation battle and mid-table security.

"We're not a bad side but, like other sides at the bottom, we need to put some results together," Mullen observed.

A couple of familiar faces could be stepping out at Common Road on Saturday. Mullen has attracted Leroy May to the Forest of Dean but the experienced striker is doubtful with injury, while Kidderminster youngster Nick Heath is another who has followed Mullen down the M5.

Mullen is aware that avoiding defeat in matches with fellow strugglers is paramount and, with new year matches against Gloucester and Redditch, the Town manager will, like his replacement Dave Busst, be keen to get something out of this weekend's game.