MANAGER John Snape knows Worcester City must win their remaining four matches to stand any chance of pinching the second Midland League Premier Division promotion spot.

City tackle in-form Highgate United, currently second on the back of seven wins in nine unbeaten matches, at the Victoria Ground today (3pm).

Even if they lose, Highgate can rule City out of the running by taking six points from their final four games after this afternoon’s showdown.

For now, Snape’s focus is on a return to winning ways after three frustrating draws and a derby loss to champions-elect Bromsgrove in Worcester’s past four outings.

And while most have ruled out any hope of City gatecrashing the promotion party the boss wants his charges to keep going until the last whistle of a testing first campaign since dropping three levels in the summer.

“We spoke before and after Tuesday’s game about the desire and the way you start and finish seasons,” said Snape.

“You always look to start well and it should be the same at the end. Whatever else has happened, you look to finish on a high and set yourselves up well for the following campaign.

“It is about us gaining as many points as we can and there is still 12 to go for. Let’s go for all of them and see where it takes us.

“We would have to take all 12 (to go up), that’s clear. It is a six-pointer against a team that is in the ascendancy so it will be a tough one.

“There were some tired legs out there on Tuesday (in the 1-1 draw at Stourport). Alex Tomkinson came off but we hope to have Nick Turton back from illness. We just have to go again, it is as simple as that.

“You cannot be too tired or play too much football. You may have picked up niggly injuries and that would be the only excuse a player would have at any level.

“It is competitive and the games come thick and fast on difficult surfaces but we showed passion in the last 20 minutes of the second half at Stourport and I want to see that again.

“With some fresh legs and more energy in the final third, we might have got ourselves some more goals in midweek and that will be the aim on Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Snape was complimentary about Highgate’s ascent into pole position for second spot in recent weeks, boasting a seven-match winning run before fighting back from two down to draw 2-2 at relegation-threatened Haughmond on Thursday.

“Highgate have had a tough run of games so you have to say well done to them,” he added.

“They have some strength in depth which has helped but it is still tough to put together that kind of run. That said, we cannot worry about anyone else.”