STUART Heath believes the tide could be turning in the battle for survival in Skrill South, with the Magpies’ rivals beginning to feel the pressure.

A positive result at play-off chasing Bath City tomorrow (3pm) would send out another warning to the sides scrapping to avoid relegation that Dorchester Town are up for the fight.

And Magpies’ assistant-manager Heath reckons their improvement since the turn of the year has now got other clubs looking over their shoulders.

Heath feels Dorchester have the players capable of achieving the great escape, and thinks the fitness of the squad is one of their big advantages over other sides.

“We’re going into the final stretch now and it will likely come down to which team can keep their nerve and perform to their potential,” he said.

“We know we have got the players in the squad to produce quality performances, and games are running out so we have to get points on the board.

“With the teams around us having games in hand we have to make sure we pick up as many points as possible.

“We’re capable of going on a run, we showed that a few weeks ago, and if we can do that we will stay up.

“Having turned things around since the start of the year and got in touch with the teams above us, all the pressure is suddenly on them.”

He went on to add: “It’s very close down there and with so many games coming up, the table can change very quickly.

“I’m not sure many people are expecting us to stay up so our challenge is to prove them wrong.

“We’ve got to work hard over the next few weeks, and if we do that I’m confident we’ll get the results to leapfrog the teams above us.

“One thing this group has got is great levels of fitness and our preparation is second to none.

“It’s been a tough season, especially for the players, physically and mentally, and if we can stay in the division it would be a fantastic achievement.”

Jake Smeeton is a slight injury worry after picking up a few knocks in the 1-1 draw at Bishop’s Stortford on Tuesday night.

Bath won 2-0 at the Avenue in November but the Magpies are on a three-game unbeaten run away from home.

Magpies (from): Walker-Harris, Lanahan, Smeeton, Jermyn, N Walker, Gleeson, Crittenden, Craig, Yeoman, Byerley, Losasso, Makoni, McCarthy, Twyford, Case, Way, S Walker, Munday

*Goals from Dan Munday and Jack Twyford gave Dorchester’s reserve side a 2-0 win at Wimborne Town to keep them at the top of the Wyvern Premier League.