Hereford United go into their Nationwide Conference local derby with Kidderminster Harriers at Edgar Street on Saturday with their faint hopes of catching Accrington Stanley at the top of the table revived.

The Lancashire side suffered a shock defeat at Southport on Tuesday night - their first in 21 matches, dating back to October - but still lead the Bulls by 11 points. United, who will hope for another 4,000 plus crowd to encourage them on Saturday, now have a game in hand, however.

"There is just a little chink of hope for us now," said director of football Graham Turner. "It's a long shot but it proves that everything is not over just yet.

"The indications are that, with another sending off last night, their fourth in four games, and after events in the game here, that nerves are beginning to set in a little.

"I thought that Southport were a game side when they played us last week but I didn't think that they would beat Accrington."

Accrington have another tough match on Saturday when they visit play-off contenders York City but if Hereford are to benefit from any possible slip-ups, they must ensure that there are no wobbles of their own against Harriers.

"We could really have done without Kidderminster's result against Aldershot last Saturday when they were four-down at half-time," said Turner.

"After that, I expect them to come here and defend deep and in numbers. We just have to be good enough to cope with that."

Turner will have Daryl Taylor back in contention after suspension while Ryan Green is also back in training after missing last Saturday's win at Burton Albion with a hamstring strain.

Fractured cheek-bone victim Adam Stansfield was also expected to join in training in the latter half of the week and could be a surprise inclusion on the bench if all goes well.

United's other injury victims, Guy Ipoua and Simon Travis, are likely to get a chance to improve their fitness next week when Turner is hopeful of arranging a match for the reserves .

Hereford and Harriers drew 1-1 at Aggborough earlier in the season with Jamie Pitman scoring for the Bulls.

But Hereford have not beaten their local rivals in league action for five matches, since their first Conference season.

A penalty from Neil Grayson at Edgar Street set the Bulls on their way to a double on that occasion.