CARETAKER boss John Snape has issued a rallying call to supporters to play their part in helping Worcester City avoid relegation from Vanarama National League North.

With three games left of the season, only goal difference is keeping City out of the drop zone as they are level on points with third-from-bottom Gainsborough Trinity.

Worcester take on seventh-placed Stockport County at Bromsgrove's Victoria Ground tomorrow (3pm) and Snape has challenged fans of the exiled club to be the “12th man” in their fight for survival.

“I know Stockport will bring a few people there and I expect the Worcester City faithful to turn out in their droves and make a good atmosphere for everyone,” he said.

“So it is probably a little challenge for them now.

“You can have a moan and groan if you want, but get yourself there, get behind the side and hopefully be the 12th man to get us a point or three.”

A crowd of just 400 turned out for City’s last home game to see the hosts draw 1-1 with Curzon Ashton.

“I am not knocking the fans at home,” Snape continued.

“Against Curzon I thought they were outstanding for us, especially in the first half because they have saw effort and desire and they will see that again tomorrow.

“We have got some very loyal fans who come home and away and I treat them with the utmost respect.

“I just think there are a few more that can do that between now and the end of the season which might just give us that extra lift to get us over the line.”

After facing Stockport, Worcester host play-off chasing Salford City on Saturday and travel to leaders AFC Fylde on the following Saturday.

Left midfielder Cieron Keane is set to return after missing City’s 1-0 defeat at Chorley last Friday through illness. But defender Andy Gallinagh remains a doubt with a neck problem.

“Cieron has got a chance and Andy has had his neck put back into position by the chiropractor,” Snape said.

“He feels OK, but I do worry about the neck because it is a very important part of the body.”

The versatile Junior English and winger Chekaine Steele could be recalled to the starting line-up after both recovering from hamstring injuries.

And Snape admitted he had a decision to make over who will wear the number one jersey after Ethan Ross replaced Nathan Vaughan and produced a man-of-the-match display against Chorley, saving a first-half penalty.

City face a tough task against Stockport who are unbeaten in eight matches and are two points off the play-off places.

But Snape says relegation rivals Gainsborough’s win over Salford on Good Friday and second-from-bottom Stalybridge Celtic’s recent victories over title-challengers AFC Fylde and Kidderminster Harriers shows anything is possible.

“Two weeks ago, people were saying we would not pick up any more points and neither would Gainsborough,” he added.

“But it is a topsy-turvy time of the season.”

Tomorrow also sees Gainsborough visit Brackley Town and Stalybridge, who are five points behind City with a game in hand, tackle Chorley.