ALVECHURCH manager Andy Hibbert has dusted down his boots and come out of semi-retirement in a bid to save the Lye Meadow club.

The former Northfield Town, Atherstone, Hednesford and Boldmere striker signed as a player at the start of the season in case of emergencies and apart from a 40-minute cameo against County Sports has been content to stay in the dug-out.

But after a poor run of results plunged Alvechurch into a relegation scrap the manager decided enough was enough and played the full game in Saturday's impressive 0-0 draw at West Midlands Police.

And he continued in last night's 2-1 loss at Highgate United.

Second from bottom Alveston gained ground on Church by beating bottom club Southam 4-1 at the weekend to close the gap to four points but Hibbert's men have two games in hand.

Hibbert should have midfielders Jamie Ryder and Ross Knight, sweeper Jon Slater and defender Mat Davies available and knows a win will restore a healthy buffer from the relegation zone but defeat would increase the pressure for Church.

The Lye Meadow side visit Coleshill Town on Saturday (ko 2.45pm) and will have an eye on results elsewhere when Alveston have it all to do at home to third placed Nuneaton Griffs and Southam visit Highgate.