BEDFORD boss Nick Platnauer is planning to ruin Chippenham's title challenge on Saturday to get his side back in the hunt for top spot.

The Eagles appeared to have dropped out of the title race but after a good run of results are back in contention and a win on Saturday will close the gap to just two points.

His side will be gunning for their second victory over the Bluebirds this season, following a 2-1 win at the Eyrie in September.

Since that encounter, when they were lying second from bottom, Bedford have turned their season around are now just a win away from securing a place in the play-offs.

The manager is concentrating on securing a top five finish before looking at automatic promotion.

Platnauer said: "Since that game we have gone on a great run. The play-offs are not assured as there are still 10 or so teams that are within a shout.

"We are a difficult side to beat and have only lost two in the last 18. But it will be hard to go to Chippenham, the lads want to prove they are the best side in the league.

"To do that they will need to beat Chippenham again."

The manager has his worries, and will be missing three key players for the clash.

Bedford will be without midfielder Jason James and the injured star strike pairing of Chris Dillion (foot) and Paul Fewings (thigh).

The two have netted 35 times between them and Platnauer feels the duo are a big loss to the promotion chasing side.

"For a while now I have not been able to field a full strength side. Since Chris and Paul have been missing we have struggled."

On Tuesday, Chippenham are back on the road when they travel to Hemel Hempstead.

New manager Byron Walters, who took over from Nick Ironton four weeks ago, admits he would rather be playing a different side but feels his team can get a result on Tuesday.

He said: "I feel Chippenham are the best side in this league but they are going through a bad patch at the moment."

Both sides are in desperate need of points as Hemel are currently three away from Hitchin and the safety zone. But Walters feels the pressure will be on Chippenham.

He said: "They have a long mid- week trip to our ground which will work in our favour.

"All the pressure will be on them to win the game and we are all feeling confident."

Walters boasts a full complement of fit players and is banking on leading scorer Grant Carney to be a thorn in Chippenham's side.

"Since Grant came back from suspension he has three goals in three games and is always likely to get on the score sheet."