JOHN Trewick insists Hereford United are not throwing in the towel on catching run-away leaders Accrington Stanley.

A phenomenal run of form has seen the Lancastrians open a 10-point gap at the Conference summit, with two games in hand on second and third-placed Morecambe and Halifax.

Stanley are also 11 points clear of the Bulls, although equal on games played, and look a safe bet to clinch the championship.

But coach Trewick believes Stanley are due a dip in results and reckons United can capitalise.

"If we have not closed the gap on Accrington by the middle of March, it's going to look not hopeless but extremely difficult to catch them.

"They've put a great run together and kept it going. I think, realistically, speaking to anybody at the start of the season, you would not bet on Accrington being 10 points clear at this stage of the year.

"However, every team has a little slip at some point and they have yet to have theirs. We are just waiting and hoping that it comes along.

"I'm sure they will drop points here and there and we certainly need to beat Accrington at home. That's the scenario we are in. It's an old clich, but the only thing important to us is winning our games. We are relying on Accrington to slip up if we want to win the league, but we cannot worry about their results."

Halifax are also desperate for John Coleman's side to stumble, but the West Yorkshire outfit do not boast the best of away records among the promotion contenders.

They have lost six times on the road and won just four, making the Bulls favourites to edge tomorrow's Edgar Street showdown.

United have injury concerns, with striker Guy Ipoua rated '50-50' with a calf problem and full-back Simon Travis doubtful after straining a back ligament.

Jamie Pitman is sidelined for five to six weeks after a scan revealed extensive ligament damage to his knee, while fellow midfielder Stacy Coldicott has joined Cambridge United on a month's loan.

Trewick admits it is vital to overcome the Shaymen and put the Bulls in good stead for a string of matches against the Conference's top teams.

He added: "I'm sure Halifax will come here not to lose. Whatever type of game it turns out to be, we are at home and the onus is on us to win the game.

"It's an interesting time coming up over the next three or four weeks. After Halifax, we've got Stevenage, Morecambe and Accrington, teams right up there.

"By March 11, we'll know exactly how our season is going to unfold."