Thorley marks game as must win

Stafford Rangers midfielder Tom Thorley believes the rearranged visit of relegation-threatened Redditch is up there with the most important games of the season.

Manager Chris Brindley, winger Levi Reid and now Thorley have all targeted tonight's Marston Road clash as 'must win' in recent days, with both teams in the bottom half of the Blue Square North.

But Redditch's need for points is greater than their hosts, as only three points separate them from the relegation places, and they meet a Rangers side who have proved to be tough to beat with one defeat in their last eight games.

But it has been only enough to lift the club into 16th with an eight-point buffer from the trap door, and Thorley concedes more is needed to ensure safety for next season.

He said: "It's a big game for both teams, Redditch will be even more desperate than us for three points, so whoever can pick up the win will take another step to safety. A point to be honest isn't good enough for us and we will be going for the win, because when you are playing the teams around you the result becomes even more important.

"Every week we seem to say it's our biggest game of the season but this is one is definitely up there, I would say."

Rangers will be without injured left-back Jon Patrick and suspended captain Nick Wellecomme, who sits out the second of a three-match ban.