BANBURY United must begin converting draws into wins to maintain their play-off challenge – starting with tomorrow’s visit of Needham Market, says boss Mike Ford.

The Puritans enter the busy Christmas period third in the BetVictor Southern League Premier Division, with just four defeats this season.

But Ford knows every point counts if his side are to stay near the top.

“We need to ensure we take our chances when they arrive and start turning some of our draws into wins, but we’re in good shape at the moment,” he said.

“We’ve come through some really tough games recently, and people may look at tomorrow’s fixture and think it’s an easier one.

“But it definitely isn’t – we need to be switched on and focused if we are to get the result.

“At Coalville last weekend, we had spoken about us not winning enough second halves, which is exactly what we did after coming back from 1-0 down to earn a draw.

“The boys worked extremely hard to get the result at a good side, so we need to use that as a platform.”

Claudio Dias could return after missing last weekend’s trip through injury and Ford names an otherwise unchanged squad for Banbury’s last game before Christmas.

Thame United boss Mark West is relishing the challenge posed by fellow Division 1 Central play-off hopefuls AFC Dunstable tomorrow.

West’s men beat Kempston Rovers 2-1 last weekend to go six matches unbeaten in all competitions, but they will have their work cut out against an opponent who have challenged for promotion in the last two seasons.

He said: “Because we’ve won a few games, we’re about on a par with Dunstable at the moment, but they’ve been up and around the play-off area all season.

“They’re a big, strong side and they really come at you.

“But we’re in good form – we just need to be a bit more clinical, because we had plenty of chances last weekend to have won more comfortably.”

Ben Sturgess returns from a one-match ban, while Liam Tack has re-joined the club after a brief spell away.

West added: “The Christmas period is always an exciting one and will give us an idea of where we are at by the end of it.

“If we keep working hard and for each other, we will get our rewards.”

North Leigh will be hoping the rain relents at Daventry Town.

Another postponement last weekend means The Millers are falling behind with their fixtures, and joint manager Craig Dore is desperate to string some games together.

He said: “It was very frustrating, because the rain was just too much and it means we’re playing catch-up a bit.

“We know Daventry will be a tough game, they are in a similar position to us and it’s important that we perform well.

“We’ve set the lads a points target for our games over Christmas, and if we achieve that, we will be in a decent place going into next year.”

Dore names an unchanged squad for the trip to Northamptonshire.

Didcot Town visit Bedford Town aiming to respond to last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Welwyn Garden City.

George Gilmore returns from a one-match ban, but Josh Pin remains out with a hip injury.

Boss Jamie Heapy said: “I felt we deserved at least a point last weekend, and we’ve been looking a lot better defensively.

“But we need to sharpen up in front of goal and take our chances.”

Wantage Town’s hunt for their first points continues at home to Yaxley.

The Alfredians were level at 1-1 at the break at Barton Rovers last weekend, before losing 4-1.

Joint boss Matt Biddle said: “We looked dangerous going forward, and created the most chances we have done all season, but we all understand the situation we are in. “We remain determined to turn our season around, now it’s up the lads themselves.”

Ross Roberts (ankle and knee), Dan James (knee), Josh McGory (hamstring) and Jack Buchanon (groin) all miss out.

Kyreece Martei and Jared Jones are also unavailable, but striker Sydney Ibie, on loan from Hemel Hempstead, is in the squad.

Kidlington will look to continue their good form at Barton Rovers.

Manager Julian McCalmon is without the suspended duo of Lewis Coyle and Tommy Castle, but is hoping several players who were unavailable last week can return.

TOMORROW’S LINE-UPS

Banbury Utd (v Needham Market, home): from Harding, C Roberts, Odhiambo, Westbrook, Hawtin, Rasulo, Haysham, Dias, Mills, Isaac, M Roberts, Ahmed, Fasanmade, Johnson, Awadh.

Thame Utd (v AFC Dunstable, home): from Hill, Lynn, Mapley, Hackett, Essex, Ashworth, West, Murray, Evans, Simms, Harris, Blake, Tony-Green, Peake-Pijnen, Balogun, Sturgess, Tack.

North Leigh (v Daventry Tn, away): from Lapworth, Ngathe, Gunn, Learoyd, McSkelly, Grant, M Williams, Woodley, L Williams, McNish, Seacole, Gillett, Alexis, Landers, Alabi.

Didcot Tn (v Bedford Tn, home): from Bedwell, Thomas, Carnell, Green, Isaac, Nash, Hayden, Silva, Francis, Dark, Reid, Collins, Stanley, Bell, Humphries, Longford, Gilmore.

Wantage Tn (v Yaxley, home): from McKenzie-Lyle, Webster, Tuttle, Fry, Mutero, Broadbank, Regrugui, Singh, Martei, Broadley, Shakti, McKeon, Sykes, Shaw, Glover, Ibie, Sule.

Kidlington (v Barton Rovers, away): from Lawrence, Blackstock, Castle, Martin, West, Gabbidon, Willoughby, Benjamin, A Odhiambo, E Odhiambo, Howards, Tooke, Williams, Smith, Peart, Osborne-Ricketts.