KETTERING Town arrive at Hereford United tomorrow (3pm) with a better chance of escaping from Alcatraz than the clutches of the Nationwide Conference relegation zone.

But Poppies manager Carl Shutt insists they can still claw their way to safety despite trailing fourth from bottom Woking by 11 points.

"We will fight on, we are not throwing in the towel yet," he said. However the omens are not good for Shutt's side who have the poorest away record in the league with just two wins out of 14.

Hereford also got the better of them at Rockingham Road back in September, though it needed a last-gasp winner from striker Steve Guinan to steal all three points in a 3-2 win.

United boss Graham Turner is anxious to stay in touch with the play-off spots after a 4-0 defeat at leaders Yeovil last weekend but is aware that shock results can and do happen as the season approaches its business end.

"Carl Shutt's got to be talking positive and I wouldn't expect anything less but you always get some funny results at this stage of the season and we have to make sure it doesn't happen to us," said Turner.

The Bulls lie just outside the play-off places in sixth, although they are level on points with fifth-placed Morecambe, and cannot contemplate anything less than victory as Turner concedes.

"It will probably be no easier than Yeovil. They are scrapping for their lives," said Turner.

"It will be a different sort of match but I think we have got to get three points on board.

"At this stage in the season it doesn't matter how the points come because it's all about keeping up in touch with the play-off places. It's looking good for us at this stage with no injury worries and we've got Matt Clarke back on board who had 15 minutes against Yeovil and also played for 80 minutes for the reserves against Telford United."

The Bulls won that match 4-2 with Justin Rowe scoring a hat-trick and Jay Lovett also on target.

Turner has confirmed the club will be appealing over John Grant's dismissal against Yeovil after reviewing video evidence.

The striker was sent off following a first half fracas but despite not condoning Grant's behaviour as he rushed in to protect Danny Williams, Turner was adamant there was no violent conduct.

"He didn't punch anybody," added Turner.

The club, however, have not lodged a protest against Tony James 90th-minute sending off for a professional foul which will rule him out of the away Scarborough clash next weekend.

Meanwhile, Hereford sponsors Sun Valley have renewed their backing of the club for another two years.

The current deal had been due to run out in May. Sun Valley have sponsored the Bulls since 1990.

FORMCAST: Back the Bulls to win 3-1.