WORCESTER City say back-to-back victories for the first time since August is their chief concern against Altrincham tomorrow and not the significance of the match in the play-off race.

Only goal difference separates City from the Robins ahead of their Blue Square Bet North encounter at St George’s Lane (3pm).

The winners would gain a timely advantage in the push for the top five, given that are just six points between fourth-placed Gainsborough Trinity and Boston United in 12th.

But manager Carl Heeley is not allowing himself to be preoccupied by the league table and instead wants his team to build on last Saturday’s 3-0 win at Colwyn Bay.

Doing so would give them their first two league victories on the spin since beating Bishop’s Stortford and Corby Town in their first matches at the Lane this term.

It is a slightly surprising statistic given that City have been a regular fixture in the play-off picture all season and one they are keen to put right.

Heeley said: “There’s a long way to go and there will be a lot of twists and turns. We put all our efforts into the Colwyn Bay game and now we aren’t looking further than Altrincham.

“Nothing will be decided tomorrow and there are other teams in there, it’s very congested. We are concentrating on getting back-to-back wins.”

Heeley also reckons that Worcester will likely end up being one of several teams battling for fifth place as Brackley have a seven-point cushion in third and Halifax, currently sixth, have a glut of games in hand.

“We have had a lot of games where there’s an importance on it with regards the table and it’s nice to be in the mix,” the City boss said.

“The aim was always to be in with a chance at new year and not be having to play catch-up.

“If you compare the table to other leagues, it’s strange because there are three or four teams setting a trail when normally it’s only one or two.

“It’s going to be tough to catch the top four sides and that leaves one play-off spot.”

Midfielder Tom Thorley is expected to be fit to face Altrincham despite suffering a cut shin in the Colwyn Bay triumph.

Centre-half Jacob Rowe could also return after missing the north Wales trip with tendonitis in his knee. However, fellow defender Graham Hutchison’s loan from Birmingham City has finished.

Altrincham, who beat City 3-0 at the Lane in the FA Trophy in November and have 26-goal Damian Reeves in their ranks, are unbeaten in four matches and defeated Harrogate Town 3-0 last Saturday.