DORCHESTER Town’s players are going to be “pushed even harder” during the second half of the season, according to county town boss Mark Jermyn.

The Magpies, two points off the play-offs in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division, have put themselves firmly in contention for a shot at promotion with 19 games left.

They can further enhance their push tonight with a home showdown against bottom club Bideford (7.45pm), who haven’t played a single league fixture since Boxing Day.

And player-manager Jermyn knows fitness will be a key factor in determining whether his men make the top five come the end of April.

“We really want the Bideford game to be on and we’re looking forward to it, but if it’s not it will be another fitness session,” he said.

“There’s no hiding from it, there will be a lot of cardio involved and we’ll look to go again.

“For us, and the group know it, they will be pushed even harder in the second half of the season.

“But we do have to be aware that we don’t want to blow out before the end of the season.

“It’s about give and take. They’ve had rests when they’ve needed rests, but they’ve worked hard when they’ve had to work hard.

“Myself, Nick (Crittenden) and Stuart (Heath) said at the start of the season that in the winter months when games are being called off they will still be working.”

He added: “If you run for 90 minutes and the opposition can’t then a lot of times you will nick games.

“That’s why we keep on to the boys about managing the game and staying in games.

“And that’s what they did on Saturday. They dug deep in the first half when we were under a bit of pressure and then in the second half it was about fitness.

“It was the same at Frome. We stayed in the game and went 1-0 up, and then in the second half our fitness and strength shone through.”

Goals from Charlie Davis, Jonah Ayunga and Neil Martin sealed back-to-back 3-0 wins for the Magpies on Saturday as Cambridge City were seen off at the Avenue.

They will be firm favourites to see off a Bideford side without a victory in the league since November 7.

The Robins are on a dreadful run of form with one draw and seven defeats in their last eight outings in all competitions.

Dorchester, unbeaten in four, could potentially climb into the top five by the end of tonight’s games.

Other than long-term injury absentee Bradley Tarbuck, Jermyn has a fully fit squad to choose from this evening.