PHIL Robinson is confident that Hereford United can continue to be genuine Nationwide Conference title contenders.

Following today's trip to Rushden and Diamonds, the Bulls, currently fourth in the table, will have played all of their fellow high-flyers in recent weeks.

And the 33-year-old, who joined United as player-coach in the summer, believes they can hang on to the coat-tails of the likes of Rushden and current leaders Yeovil - now managed by former Bulls boss Colin Addison.

But he believes United will have to sort out their home form, having drawn six out of seven at home compared with five wins on their travels.

Robinson said: "It has been a very good start for the club and for ourselves, particularly with our away form.

"If we can just get rid of that habit of drawing at home, I am sure people who have been to the home games will realise we have done enough to win most of them.

"We have totally dominated games but haven't managed to put the ball in the back of the net.

"We are confident we can stay in there, and I think if there are a couple of clubs up there chasing Rushden, there is a chance they may slip up.

"We have to be in a position to put pressure on them, and if they do slip up, to go past them.

Robinson arrived at Edgar Street during the summer from Stoke City, having previously played under Bulls Director of Football Graham Turner at both Wolves and Aston Villa. He is out to add to his impressive record of having won promotion six times during his playing career.

Robinson is certainly enjoying his first taste of non-league soccer. "I felt that I settled in pretty quickly because they are a great bunch of lads to work with.

"They have been very responsive to our sessions, they are young and enthusiastic and there is hardly any need to motivate them in training - they do that themselves."

He's also happy with his own form. "I am certainly enjoying myself in there, and feel my form has been quite good and hopefully I can -continue with that and score more goals (he only has one so far this season)."