Oxford City manager Mike Ford wants his players to put in two months of hard graft to boost their hopes of beating the drop – starting with Saturday's visit of Tiverton Town.

City are just four points from the Premier Division drop zone, but the former U’s defender Ford feels their recent displays – aside from the 3-0 loss to Didcot Town – gave him cause for optimism.

“I know that as a player when I had a bad one, I was keen to get it out of the system in the next game,” said Ford.

“And that’s what the players have to do. We just didn’t show up against Didcot and we had a chat as to the reasons why.

“If we approach it properly, we have a good chance of winning.

“It’s now about the last 13 games and I am asking the players for two months of hard graft.”

He added: “We have won three of our last six games and we will be fine if we keep that up.

“I am very positive we can get enough points to be safe.”

City could be without their on-loan Adam Mekki if parent club Aldershot want him to play at Northampton in League Two.

Craig McIllwain (hamstring injury) is a doubt.

Didcot Town boss Ady Williams has urged his side to keep up the good work at home to Brackley Town.

Town drew 1-1 draw at Bedford last week to make it two games unbeaten.

But the draw was not without cost as on-loan Aldershot striker Jack Randall broke a leg in an innocuous challenge, while Michael Alexis was sent off.

Williams said: “Jack’s injury was horrible. I thought he had pulled a hamstring, but he fractured the leg. He had only just got his fitness back.

“Michael has performed brilliantly for me, but we are going to lose him for three matches.

“I think the referee probably got it right. It’s a shame because we need everyone available.

He added: “The last two games have been positive for me – the lads have put in performances of passion, effort and commitment.

“When you are in the position we are in, confidence is bound to suffer, but to go out and perform they way they have done in the last two games is very pleasing.

“It’s now about keeping up that level of consistency.”

Oxford City (v Tiverton, home) from Jesionkowski, Ballard, Clarke, Blossom, McIllwain, Ashton, Lyon, Kington, Mekki, Barcelos, Savage, Malone, Dunn, Steele, Faulkner, Hughes.

Didcot Tn (v Brackley Tn, home): from Smith, Warrell, Heapy, Gunn, A Williams, Stanley, Organ, Alexis, Huggins, Osborne-Ricketts, M Williams, Bartley, Lawrence, Griffin, Tabor, Mutero.