Hereford United have a chance to spoil Chester City's promotion party and build up in style for their own play-off campaign when the Nationwide Conference champions visit Edgar Street on Saturday.

The Bulls, who are guaranteed second place, can cut the gap on Chester to a single point with a success against their Cheshire rivals, a victory which would mean they had won 28 times this season compared to Chester's tally of 27.

There are other points to prove, too. Three more goals on Saturday would take the Bulls' total to 104, a new Conference record.

And Hereford have won 10 successive league matches with another victory equalling a club record which dates back to 1926.

United, who drew 0-0 at Chester earlier in the season, have a couple of injury doubts ahead of Saturday's match with Rob Purdie (hip) and Tony James (knee) facing a battle to be fit.

"If they are fit they will play," said Bulls director of football Graham Turner. "The best preparation for the play-offs is to play games at the right tempo."

Danny Williams is also a doubt after leaving the field with an ankle knock when United's reserve side clinched the Central Conference title on Tuesday night with 2-1 win at Nuneaton.

Danny Carey-Bertram, who scored both of United's goals on Tuesday, and has scored in each of United's last two matches as a substitute, would be in line to replace Purdie.

With reserve goalkeeper Ben Scott sidelined after breaking a thumb, Turner has been given permission to sign extra cover and has acquired former Bulls keeper Chris MacKenzie from Telford for a month.

Depending on the outcome of Saturday's matches, the Bulls will face the fifth-placed side, one of Aldershot Town, Barnet, Exeter City or Barnet, in the play-off semi-final with the first leg away on Thursday, April 29 and the second leg at Edgar Street on Monday, May 3.

Tickets are available today (Thursday) for the home leg from the club offices for season ticket holders, membership card holders and Shrewsbury ticket stub holders, with the remainder going on sale tomorrow.

Jeremy Wolfe is arranging transport for Ledbury-based fans to the first leg. He can be contacted on 07929 932228.

Graham Turner's championship view: Sports Times 5