DIDCOT Town manager Andy Ballard has praised his side’s qualities after four wins in a fortnight propelled them from third-bottom into the play-off places.

With all their Evo-Stik South League Division 1 Central victories coming with late goals, the Railwaymen’s boss has been thrilled with the attitude of his squad.

The impressive run means they travel to second-placed Bromsgrove Sporting tomorrow in high spirits.

“It shows the character and spirit we have in this group,” he said.

“Like last season, they never know when they are beaten and are now being rewarded for their hard work.

“Tomorrow will be a really tough game. Bromsgrove are a big non-league club with a strong following.

“But I am more than confident that we can continue our good run.”

Luke Carnell may be fit after a bout of sickness, but John Dennis and Brandon Taverner are both ruled out with hamstring injuries.

George Reid (ankle) is also sidelined, while Seth Humphries, who broke a hand against Barton Rovers, will be missing for between six and eight weeks.

Another side on a good run are Thame United, who entertain Bedford Town at the ASM Stadium.

A 3-0 win at Aylesbury last week lifted Mark West’s team up to seventh, just two points outside the play-offs.

“Touch-wood, the boys have turned a little corner, and we’re going well at the moment,” he said.

“The win at Aylesbury could have ended up being five or six – we were really good.

“But I know Bedford are one of the stronger sides in this league, and they will be keen to bounce back from losing in midweek at Didcot.”

Aaron Jewell (suspended) and Jamie Essex (holiday) are missing for an otherwise

full-strength squad.

“I’m not getting carried away,” West said.

“We still have a lot of hard work ahead and are focusing on one game at a time.”

North Leigh will look to bounce back when they host Coleshill Town.

George Seacole is doubtful after he hobbled off with a hamstring injury in last week’s 3-0 defeat at Welwyn Garden City, while Ben Brown (glandular fever) is ruled out.

James Cowan, a midfielder, has signed on loan from Oxford United, but Horatio Hirst has left to re-join Aylesbury United.

Boss Craig Dore said: “I’m just looking for a bit of character from the boys to bounce back from last

week.”

Kidlington can climb out the relegation zone for the first time this season if they win at Aylesbury United.

Back-to-back victories have seen Julian McCalmon’s side pull level on points with North Leigh and in reach of the teams just above them.

They are boosted by the return of Jack Quainton.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Didcot Tn (v Bromsgrove Sporting, away): from Bedwell, Barder, Learoyd, Carnell, McNeill, Hayden, McNish, Murphy, Gardner, L Williams, Hackett, Thomas, W Woodley, M Woodley, Young, Alexis, M Williams.

Thame Utd (v Bedford Tn, home): from Hill, Mepham, Lynn, Scott, Sturgess, Martin, A Goss, Gledhill, Evans, Ashworth, Murray, L Goss, James, West, Tack.

North Leigh (v Coleshill Tn, home): from Cavanagh, Linford-Pill, Brown, Peart, Simms, James, Tutton, Gila, Alabi, Landers, Seacole, Stevens, Gunn, Saunders, H Grant, C Grant.

Kidlington (v Aylesbury Utd, away): from Warrell, Castle, Quainton, Tooke, Bernasconi, Organ, Franklin, Willoughby, Benjamin, Osborne-Ricketts, Janes, Odhiambo, Williams, Stanbridge, Cowlishaw, Thorne.

In the Premier Division Central, Banbury United boss Mike Ford hopes his side have turned a corner as they prepare to entertain Lowestoft Town.

The Puritans are unbeaten in three games, and came from 2-0 down to snatch a draw at St Ives last weekend.

Ford said: “If results are anything to go by, there’s clearly been an upturn.

“That’s down to a change of mentality – we’ve come from behind in two games to gain points.

“A month ago, that maybe wouldn’t have happened – we’ve made it really important to fight and scrap for everything.”

Edmund Hottor returns after suspension, while Charlie Hawtin should be back after missing the St Ives game through illness.

Banbury Utd (v Lowestoft Tn, home): from Agboola, Taylor, Nash, Wise, Shamsi, Johnson, Diggin, Odhiambo, Kaziboni, Whitehead, Rasulo, Bell, Mills, Finch, Heapy, Awadh, Hottor, Hawtin.