PURTON will be bidding to pull themselves firmly into the title race when they host league leaders Lydney Town on Saturday.

Justin Miller’s side are currently third in the table but can cut the gap to Lydney to just a single point with victory.

Purton remain the outsiders to claim top spot as they have played three games more than both Lydney and second-placed Longlevens but a win would ensure it remains a three horse race for a little longer yet.

Miller said: “It’s a long shot for us but a win would be great and even avoiding defeat would keep us in with a slim chance.

“It’s a game we do need to win and we know it’s not going to be easy.

“They are a good team and I’d say probably the best team we’ve faced so far.

“We’ve played all the top teams and although it’s hard to gauge as you don’t know who has people missing when you play them, Lydney were certainly very, very good.

“They’ve hardly conceded any goals so far this season and they’ve scored quite a few themselves.”

Purton will need a big improvement on their last display against Lydney as Miller’s side slipped to heavy 5-2 defeat on the road back in September.

Miller said: “They gave us a good beating earlier in the season.

“We didn’t play well and we conceded three goals in a pretty short space of time.

“Although we did come back at them a bit in the second half you’re never really sure if they’ve taken their foot off the gas.”

The form book suggests things should be much closer this time as both teams head to the contest at the Red House in the middle of a hot streak.

Purton are currently enjoying a ten-match unbeaten run in the league dating back to late October, while Lydney have won 11 of the 12 league fixtures they have played since September.

“It should be a really good game and we’re really looking forward to it,” said Miller.

“We’ve got nothing to lose so we’ll just give it our best shot and go for it.”

Purton will be without Ben Carter again this weekend as he serves the final game of a three-match suspension but otherwise Miller has a full squad to pick from.

Elsewhere, Fairford Town are at home to Hook Norton and New College are on the road at Carterton.