Chippenham will have a tough task of staying on top of the Southern Premier League when they entertain a motivated Aylesbury United on Saturday.

The side from Buckinghamshire, nicked named the Ducks, will be visiting Hardenhuish with the aim of climbing up the table into the playoff spots. Aylesbury are currently lying tenth in the Southern Premier League and are only three points below the playoff positions on 16 points.

Manager Paul Curtis is hopeful of a win against the joint league leaders. He said: "Chippenham are in outstanding form this season but I have belief in my players. If you don't go to games believing you can win then you will get beat."

Last year Aylesbury finished bottom of the Ryman Premier League after failing to pick up a win since December.

Curtis said: "Our aim this season is to finish in the playoffs and hopefully get into the Conference South."

To win the game Aylesbury will have to stop throwing games away in the dying minutes. Curtis said: "The last two games were going well until the last five minutes. We were 1-0 against Stamford then gave a late goal away, then the week before we were drawing with Bath City and they won the game in the final minutes.

"I have been speaking to the players about their concentration levels in the last few minutes, it is something that I hope will not happen against Chippenham."

Curtis has singled out midfielder Dean Cracknell as his player to watch. Curtis said: "Dean is an exciting young player who used to play for Northampton. He has had a great season so far."

Cracknell is not the only ex-Northampton player at the club. Midfielder Paul Lamb and left back Jason Burnham also played for the league club.

Chippenham will also have to watch out for hotshot Leon Gutzmore. The striker is Aylesbury's top scorer at the moment with six goals.

Curtis' only injury doubt is striker Gary Cook, who the manager signed last month. The forward had a mixed debut for the Ducks. He scored his first goal in the FA Cup second round tie against Stotfold but unfortunately pulled his hamstring just minutes later. He will be out for at least another two weeks and will definitely miss the game against Chippenham.

Curtis is looking forward to locking horns with his old teammate Steve White. The right back used to play with White at Charlton Athletic in the 80s. Curtis said: "It will be good to see Steve again after all these years, I'm not sure if he remembers me though.

"We have very similar management styles. I do not like to play defensive minded and am always pushing to attack. I do not allow my side to sit back on a lead."

White said: "I remember him, it is interesting to know that we will be facing each other on Saturday."

On Saturday Aylesbury lost 1-0 to Ashford Town in the FA Cup third qualifying round and on Tuesday night they were beaten 2-0 at home by second from bottom Hemel Hempstead.