REDDITCH'S hopes of a 'backdoor' promotion to the Dr Martens Premier Division have been dashed - for this season at least.

Plans to expand the Nationwide Conference by 44 teams to include Conference North and Conference South feeder leagues have been approved by the FA.

But, as anticipated, the Conference's ambitious plans to have the new system in place for next season have been put on hold with the game's governing body deciding it more appropriate to make changes for the 2004-05 season.

The expansion will have to be ratified by an FA Council in May and the three feeder leagues faced with the prospect of losing their best teams - the Dr Martens Southern League, Unibond Northern Premier League and Ryman Isthmian League - have been given an equal say with the Conference on how it will work.

The upshot for United is that there will not be up to seven Dr Martens Western side drafted in to make up the numbers in a depleted Premier Division, although that could be the case next season.

The Conference has asked permission to expand by two teams with the smart money on two of the current three sides in the relegation zone being given a reprieve.

The knock-on effect could mean the Dr Martens Premier Division being a team light next season provided no Southern League side finishes bottom of the top level of the non league game.

But, unfortunately for the Reds, Southern League-bound Kettering are currently propping up the table, seven points behind Stevenage Borough with eight matches to play.

But United can aim for a top three finish - and on current form nobody would bet against it - and hope for the best.

Rod Brown's team extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches by disposing of Atherstone United 2-0 at home on Saturday.

And with Weston and Bromsgrove drawing and Mangotsfield losing, fifth placed Redditch pulled within two points of the Mangos and could overhaul them with a win at Rugby on Saturday (ko 3pm).