Banbury United boss Paul Davis has urged his players to seize their chance as they travel to fellow Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division strugglers Arlesey Town tomorrow.

United’s hosts are one place and five points ahead in the league table and Davis acknowledged the clash could prove decisive in the battle for survival.

“It’s a must-not-lose game,” he said. “If we lose they go further in front and that deficit is eight points, which is a lot to overcome.

“It’s a massive opportunity for us to close the gap."

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“Going into March, we really want to be in with a shout of getting out of it and winning this match will give us a massive shout.”

The Puritans moved off the bottom of the table last weekend with a 2-1 home win over Dunstable Town.

Teenage striker Leam Howards scored both of Banbury’s goals, taking his tally for the season to 12, and Davis praised the youngster.

He said: “I’ve known Leam for a little while, he’s 19 years old and he’s a local lad.

“He’s from Banbury and when I said to him during the summer that I wanted him to play for me, within five seconds a massive smile had broken out on his face.

“It means a lot to him to be playing for his local club.

“I was reading about Harry Kane playing for England and what it means to him.

“For Leam, it’s the same. Playing for Banbury is like playing for England.”

Shepherd Murombedzi could return to the Banbury squad.

TOMORROW’S SQUAD

Banbury Utd (v Arlesey Tn, away): from Bedwell, Walcott, Cray, Meade, Hartigan, Ryan, Green, White, M Martin, Tahin, Murombedzi, George, Howards, Tappin, Amegnaglo, Browne, Tappin, D Martin, Westbrook, Lewars, Isaac.