DORCHESTER Town boss Craig Laird has described tonight’s game against Hayes & Yeading United as “one of the biggest games in the club’s history” (7.45pm).

The Magpies are currently seven points ahead of the relegation-threatened side, but having played two Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division games more, Laird knows a defeat could be catastrophic.

He said: “Tuesday is probably one of the biggest games in the club’s history. It’s a big game and a proverbial six-pointer. If we can get something from the game then we should be okay.

“Without putting undue pressure on the side I would say it is a must-win game. We have to get a positive result which means getting a draw at least to keep that distance between them and us, but a win would be better for us.

“It is a big game, I don’t want to play it down because it is a big game if the club wants to retain its position in this division.”

Saturday saw a first-half collapse away at Redditch United, and despite one notable absentee, Laird said that the rest of the squad simply weren’t up to scratch.

He said: “Saturday’s performance wasn’t good enough for me, the club, and the supporters and those who work hard behind the scenes.

“I would say half a dozen didn’t play anywhere near the level that they need to retain their position in the team and at this level.

“The positive is that we get a chance to put things right. Hopefully they come in with the right attitude and know that it’s an important match and they need to perform.

“We need them to up their game and put in a performance which will be enough to keep them and Dorchester Town in this division.”

A notable absentee on Saturday was captain Nathan Walker who was unavailable due to personal reason, and the Magpies’ boss said he was a big loss.

He said: “You always miss your best players and Nathan is a big influence for us and would have probably helped us divert some of the goals.

“Hopefully Nathan will be available for us, but we haven’t got a massive squad to pick from so we have to choose from the players we have an available and hopefully they put in the level of performance that we want.

“But if he isn’t available it gives other players the chance to throw their hat into the ring.”