Beleaguered Swindon Supermarine face a looming striker crisis ahead of tonight's trip to Gloucester City.
Warren Fuller's shock return to Highworth, Pete Macklin's pending suspension and Adam Giles' fitness problems leave only Tate Hulbert to lead the line.
Steve Bennett or Tom Jones should be used as makeshift support to Hulbert this evening, but manager John Murphy knows a long-term replacement needs to be found to fire the club away from the Western Division drop zone.
Fuller's decision to quit Hunts Copse stunned Murphy, who believes the hitman may live to rue the move.
"Personally I was very disappointed to see Warren go," said Murphy.
"I can sympathise with him he missed some chances and his confidence was low. But he had the attributes to make it at this level and he might wonder what he could have done if he had stayed longer."
Meanwhile Macklin is set to start a three-month ban after seeing red while on loan at Tuffley in August.
The authorities have taken the hard line after the striker pushed an opponent and Murphy is left with a toothless attack.
"We are basically down to just one striker and we will have to bring someone in, if only as a short-term meassure."
Murphy will look to on-loan youngster Adie Adams to provide goals from midfield tonight after he collected a brace in the 3-2 defeat at Evesham.
Paul Titcombe makes his first start in goal, deputising for Liam Bull, who was injured at Evesham.
Marine remain bottom with just a point, and Murphy would love to register a first win at his old club tonight.
"We must start to turn it around. We haven't played well so far, but our only salvation is that other teams are struggling and one win would pull us clear."
Cirencester Town will be desperate to plug the hole in their leaky defence when they venture to Evesham.
The Centurians have shipped 10 goals in their last two games, leaving them lurking in the bottom five.
Boss Brian Brian Hughes won't be ringing the changes yet, but knows what needs to be done.
"The defence is costing us badly at the moment," he said.
"That's the area that obviously needs to be worked on. We're playing well but we have to shore it up at the back."
Highworth Town switch their attention to Hellenic League action tonight when Carterton visit the Rec.
Various Cup exploits mean John Fisher's side have just four league games under their belt less than half the total played by current Premier Division leaders North Leigh.
But like Highworth, Carterton are unbeaten, so they face a tough test.
Wootton Bassett face an equally stern assignment with third place Abingdon visiting Rylands Way.
Pewsey Vale will do well to bounce back from their 9-1 FA Vase mauling at Bridgwater when they visit Yate, who boast the only 100 per cent record in the division.
Fairford can move up to second with a win at lowly Henley.
In the Screwfix Premier Division, free-scoring Devizes Town will expect to pick up maximum points against perennial also-rans Odd Down, while Melksham entertain Backwell.
Calne will chase their first win of the season against Bitton in Division One.
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