Hereford United boss Graham Turner will be instructing his players that three points remain vital in the club's quest to keep alive their Nationwide Conference play-off dreams.

Still smarting from last weekend's dramatic defeat against Margate, Turner knows that nothing less than victory will be good enough against Burton Albion at Edgar Street this Saturday if the Bulls are to stay in touch for a top-five place.

Turner said: "Saturday's defeat was a severe blow to morale in the camp, but it's never over until it's over. We have to approach the Burton game as if three points are vital to us.

"It's now going to need a dramatic dip in form from one of the top clubs for us to get there. We must win our last five matches to stand a chance."

United will certainly be hoping for better fortune against Nigel Clough's men because Margate's last-gasp winner from Jean-Michel Sigere appeared offside.

After watching a video re-run of the game, Turner confirmed: "The player tried to remain inside his own half, but, when the ball was played to him, he was at least three yards offside."

Central defender Tony James is making good progress in his recovery from an ankle injury, midfielder Jamie Pitman serves the second of a two-match ban, while striker John Grant is available after completing a three-match suspension.

Despite scoring only four goals himself, Grant has been a lucky talisman when appearing in the United starting line-up.

Remarkably, United have won 13 times, lost twice and collected 45 points from the 21 league matches in which Grant has started. However, Hereford have won four times and claimed only 13 points in the 16 league matches without Grant in the starting line-up.

He will not be guaranteed a place in the starting line-up for the visit of the Brewers, however, because Turner has four strikers available.

Former Derby academy player Jordan Lambert, a midfielder, signed non-contract forms for United on transfer deadline day, joining Albano Correia (non contract), Karl Hawley (month's loan) and goalkeeper Mark Gayle (non contract).