HEREFORD United coach John Trewick reckons victory over Burton Albion at Eton Park tomorrow would be the perfect tonic after a lousy points haul over the festive period.

The Bulls lost further ground on Nationwide Conference leaders Barnet by grabbing just three points from a possible nine which included a double defeat to in-form Exeter.

It means the Edgar Street club's best hope of promotion lies with the play-off lottery as they now trail the North London outfit by 17 points, though they do have a game in hand.

However, competition for play-off places has really taken off in recent weeks, with eight points separating third-placed United and Dagenham and Redbridge in 12th position.

Trewick insists United must now cement their top-five spot at Burton but that may prove difficult if recent results against Nigel Clough's men are anything to go by.

The Bulls have twice lost at Eton Park since the Brewers gained promotion from the UniBond Premier Division in 2001/02, crashing 4-1 last season and 2-0 in the previous campaign.

Trewick said: "People keep telling

me about our recent results against Burton Albion. But I'm not someone that looks at what went on in the past.

"Tomorrow is another game and we must go there in a positive frame of mind. When we played Burton earlier this season, they put 10 outfield players behind the ball even though we had Tamika (Mkandawire) sent off early on.

"There are probably about 10 sides who all have a legitimate claim to a top-five finish. It's going to be very close. We have got to try and win every game if we want to be in the play-offs.

"We can't legislate for what other teams do from now until the end of the season. We've got to look after our own results and try to maintain a level of consistency.

"It was very disappointing for us to lose to the same team (Exeter) twice in a week. The fact is that we have taken three points from nine and it is important that we bounce back."

Manager Graham Turner will hope to have a full-strength squad available but there are injury doubts over striker Lee Mills (achilles), defender Andy Tretton (back) and midfielder Rob Purdie (hamstring).

After losing three consecutive games in early December, the Brewers have rallied back to form, overcoming York City and Tamworth on their travels.

Former Kidderminster Harriers trio Lee Ayres (groin), Sam Shilton (neck) and Andy Ducros ('flu) are all doubts.