Dorchester could break out of the Dr Martens Premier Division relegation zone and make a significant move up the table if they can prolong Hinckley United's miserable run tonight.

With no-one else in the bottom eight in action, a Magpies victory at Middlefield Lane would take Mark Morris' side level on points with Merthyr Tydfil who are in 15th place.

And if the Terras do their neighbours a favour by winning at Moor Green and Weston-super-Mare were to be beaten at home by Newport County, the Magpies would be only one point off the magical 13th place that is the target for clubs wanting to gain automatic qualification for the new Conference league next season.

"It's all ifs and buts and first we have to win tonight - and we will have to keep it a lot tighter than we have done recently away from home to achieve that," said Morris today.

"But it proves what I have been saying, that automatic qualification is still there for the taking if we can put a run of good results together.

"If we emulate our recent home performances it is a game we could win - and then all of a sudden the players get a bit of confidence and that 13th place looks a lot closer."

Despite the weekend's creditable goal-less draw with Stafford Rangers, Morris will make changes tonight with Jamie Brown and Mark Jermyn, missing on Saturday through suspension, both likely to start.

"Matty Holmes will be letting me know later today whether he thinks he can manage another game tonight, but in any event I think a couple of pairs of fresh legs will be needed so soon after Saturday's hard game," said Morris.

His squad again includes young striker Warren Byerley, who was left out on Saturday when Justin Keeler unexpectedly passed a late fitness test.

The seventh place Knitters, who were fortunate to get a 1-1 draw at the Avenue Stadium on the opening day of the season, have been in freefall down the division since they went down 2-0 in a 'top versus second' clash with the Terras at the Wessex Stadium in November.

Their 2-1 defeat on Saturday at home to Bath City, one of only two teams currently below the Magpies in the table, was the Midlands side's 11th in their last 13 games.

It will be Dorchester's first-ever visit to Middlefield Lane - and it will also be their last whatever fate has in store for them next season.

The ground is due to be sold as soon as this season is over and Hinckley started work last year on a new £4 million sports complex on a 22 acre site which includes a 4,000 capacity stadium, eight pitches of different sizes and a floodlit, all-weather training area.