MANAGER John Snape expects a “cracker” as Worcester City look to strike a promotion blow in the Midland League Premier Division derby at leaders Bromsgrove Sporting tonight (7.45pm).

Sporting’s tenants will prepare in the Victoria Ground’s away changing room for the first time this season and look to inflict only Bromsgrove’s second home league defeat of the campaign.

City have lost just once at the stadium in the competition too during the 2017-18 season and the rivals battled out a 3-3 draw on Boxing Day watched by 1,672 fans.

Worcester took a three-goal lead through Jordan Stoddart and the since-departed Lee Hughes (2) only for Sporting to roar back in the second half through Richard Gregory, Jason Cowley and Liam Holt.

City boss Snape said: “We need to win tonight. It’s a massive match. We’ve got some tired legs but I think the game will look after itself and it should be a cracker.

“It will be hell for leather. Bromsgrove have had their adversity like we have this season. They have dealt with it very well and are sitting at the top of the tree.

“You always want to beat the league leaders. We will be in the away dressing room for the first time this season so that will be funny.

“I’m looking forward to testing ourselves against the leaders with the squad we’ve got.”

Third-placed City were held 1-1 at home by Rugby Town on Saturday and, despite top two Sporting — 2-2 at Long Eaton United after going two down — and Coleshill Town drawing as well, Snape was left frustrated.

He said: “In the second half we dominated possession. Although we had tired legs in the last six or seven minutes, we did enough to win the game. But I don’t think we worked the keeper enough in the second half.

“We want to win every game between now and the end of the season. It’s always about us. If Bromsgrove or Coleshill win then great for them but it was two points dropped and it doesn’t matter what else is going on.”

Centre-half Mark Smith passed a late fitness test on a groin problem to play against Rugby while forward Dave Reynolds drove back from Devon on the morning of the match to score his spectacular goal.

Experienced midfielder Mat Birley and recent striker signing Nick Turton should return tonight after being rested while right-back Bekir Halil is expected to be ready to start if necessary after back trouble.

But defender Sam Hall (knee) and attacker James Baldwin (illness) are likely to still be missing from the squad.