GRAHAM Turner is refusing to throw in the towel in the race for the Nationwide Conference championships.

The Hereford United boss is talking up his side's hopes ahead of tomorrow's clash against Margate at the Hoverspeed Stadium but admits they must win to sustain their challenge.

Chester remain overwhelming favourites to lift the title with just eight games to go and a five point lead, plus a game in hand, but the vastly experienced Turner has warned other teams have slipped up in the past.

"Yeovil let a 13 point lead slip one year to Rushden & Diamonds, so you never know," he said.

"But if we want to have any chance of catching Chester we have to go out and take all three points at Margate.

"We've just got to take as many points as we can. It's no good hoping Chester slip up, we've just got to do our own thing."

Bagging a victory against Margate will not be easy though, with the Kent side showing in an their home form of late, recording four wins in their last five matches at the Hoverspeed Stadium.

"You've only got to look at the respective results against Accrington Stanley to tell you that we can't underestimate Margate," added Turner.

"We struggled to break Accrington down yet Margate put three past them so it follows that it's going to be difficult.

"They've got one or two experienced players in like Rocky Baptiste, they play to a system, are well organised and it will be up to us to break them down."

"To be fair we've kept four clean sheets and scored 14 goals so we are playing well but we're not taking anything for granted."

Turner is boosted by the return of Tamika Mkandawire from suspension while Danny Williams is also fit again after playing in the Herefordshire Senior Cup Final against Forest Green Rovers in midweek.

Turner is pleased with the shape of his squad and believes new signings admits such as Simon Travis, who is also fit, and Tom Smith have added competition.

"The fact we've got one or two new faces might just keep one or two of the more established players on their toes," he added.

FORMCAST: Bulls to win 2-1.