SWINDON Supermarine manager Lee Spalding has told his players to focus on what is bringing them joy ahead of a midweek test at home to Dorchester Town.

Marine are on a scintillating run of form and have tasted victory in seven of their last nine games without falling to defeat.

As a result, the Webbswood Stadium outfit are fourth in Southern League Premier and have a genuine shot at promotion to National League South come May.

Contrary to the form of tonight’s visitors who have not won a league game since October and are already nine points adrift of safety.

Following a professional derby win over county rivals Salisbury on Saturday, Spalding believes tonight’s game is even more crucial as bottom of the league Dorchester could prove to be a banana skin if the mentality of his players is not right.

He said: “Tonight’s game is even more important than Saturday’s game was for me.

“I won’t see the players until Tuesday now, but I’ll spend that time doing my homework on Dorchester and calling the players to remind them to prepare well and everyone is focused on the job in hand.

“The results are going well at the moment, but it’s important that we focus on what is bringing us our joy.

“At the moment, our work rate is excellent and we’re focusing on each game as it comes.

“We’ve got a good spirit and a good work ethic, and that’s why we’re getting results.”

As a result of Marine’s 10-match unbeaten run in league competition, Spalding’s men are just five points off top spot with a game in hand over Chesham United, Truro City and Tiverton Town.

With promotion clearly the aim, Spalding admitted it is helpful to have several players within his ranks that have experienced the feeling and situation before.

He said: “We’ve got good experience, not just in the players, but in the coaching staff as well.

“We’ve got players like Charlie Griffin and Matt Coupe who have played higher and won leagues.

“Coupe won leagues with Forest Green when he was there, and Charlie Griffin has won leagues with Stevenage.

“Rhys Evans – who is the goalkeeping coach – has played professional football at all kinds of levels, and we’ve got Martin Horsell who has won promotion at Hereford.

“There is a lot of experience here and players that have already tasted success and promotion, but we also have a good mix of players who are desperate to prove themselves at a higher level too.”