CHIPPENHAM and bitter rivals Bath City finally come head to head on Tuesday night.

The original fixture on December 27 was called off due to a frosty Twerton Park pitch.

After an exciting FA Cup run that saw City knocked out of the second round proper, 2-0 by Peterborough United, Bath's promotion hopes are starting to dwindle with the team are six points off the play off spots with two games in hand over most sides above them.

City boss Gary Owers has demanded his team put a run together as he aims to get Bath into the Conference South.

He said: "We are unbeaten in the last four but really need to put seven or eight together to jump up the table.

"Chippenham have done that in January and are now clear at the top."

The manager is anticipating a close game against Chippenham and thinks the game will create a lot of interest from the fans.

"It was disappointing the Boxing Day game was called off but it has come around again and it is important for both clubs to get a win."

But Owers has told his players their home form must improve if they wish to finish in the play offs.

For the past month City have been missing star striker Scott Partridge with an ankle injury but Owers expects the forward to be back for the local derby.

Before that eagerly-awaited clash the Bluebirds take on Kings Lynn at Hardenhuish on Saturday.

Steve White's men will be hoping for a repeat of the October result when Chippenham travelled to Lynn's The Walk in Norfolk and came home 3-2 winners thanks to a 77th minute winner from right back Rene Regis.

Four days before that game ex-Leyton Orient manager Tommy Taylor took over as boss after the departure of Kevin Boon.

In September the Linnets were one of the favourites to win the division but have had an inconsistent season. Taylor has turned the club around as they were bottom of the league when he took charge.

Since his arrival the Linnets have charged up the league table to 11th place and are only four points behind the play off spots.

Taylor said: "My aim when I got here was just to stay in this league, now we have a chance of reaching the playoffs, but we need to put a good run together.

"We were rock bottom and now things are much brighter at the club."

Lynn's chances of promotion this season are getting bleak after losing four out of seven games in January.

If Taylor still has aspirations of reaching the playoffs, his side must put last month behind them and build on their impressive 3-1 home victory over promotion-chasing Cirencester and the 3-0 away win at Bath City last Saturday.

Taylor's only injury worry for the game against Chippenham is left back Gary Setchell, who has a thigh strain.