Stamford AFC host Leiston in the Southern League Premier Division Central
Stamford will be aiming to put some breathing space between themselves and one of their promotion rivals in a crunch clash at the Zeeco Stadium on Saturday.
The Daniels are currently in sixth spot in the Southern League Premier Division Central standings, just two points outside the play-off places.
They host a Leiston side on Saturday who are one place and one point behind the Daniels in a closely-contested race for a top five finish.
Just 10 points separates AFC Telford in top spot from Spalding United in 11th place in what manager Graham Drury described as an 'unbelievable' league.
He said: "It's an open league and we've got to try and tick as many wins off as possible.
"It's an unbelievable league and I don't think there's a division this tight right across the country.
"It shows what a demanding league it is and there's just no gimmes which is the bottom line."
Stamford shared the spoils with Leiston earlier in the season after a 1-1 draw in Suffolk when Tendai Chitiza's equaliser cancelled out an opener from the penalty spot by Jamar Loza.
Leiston are one of the form sides in the division and have lost just once in the last eight games while netting six successes.
Drury added: "It will be really tough because we know that Leiston are a good side.
"They are a good footballing side and, when we went there, it was a really good game.
"It was a real tight affair in the first game and I expect the same on Saturday.
"Leiston are on a good run and have come up from nowhere but anybody in the top 11 could realistically still win it.
"It gives us a chance on Saturday to put a bit of breathing space between ourselves and one of the sides right behind us."
Stamford go into the game buoyed by back-to-back 1-0 wins in their last two matches.
They followed up the home success over AFC Sudbury with an excellent victory at in-form Bromsgrove Sporting on Saturday.
Lee Shaw scored an early goal as the Daniels dug deep to keep a second successive clean sheet at an intimidating Victoria Ground.
Drury commented: "We have defended really well in the last two games.
"It was a cracking result on Saturday and the lads were brilliant.
"Bromsgrove had been on a good run and you could see why but they struggled against us because we were big and physical.
"Their rotation in midfield is really good and I was impressed with them but our physicality just snuffed them out.
"We've got a real art at the moment of staying in games and then seeing things through in what was a hostile place to go."
The Daniels have extended the loan of Cosmos Matwasa from National League North side Alfreton Town for another month while recent recruit Josh Burniston got some minutes under dual registration for United Counties League side Lincoln United in midweek.
New signing Kai Tonge is also moving closer to fitness after being sidelined with a broken toe.
Stamford are also in action on Tuesday night as they travel to Northern Premier League East Division leaders Cleethorpes Town in the semi-final of the Lincolnshire Senior Cup.
