Dereham Town will hope to outmanoeuvre another rival in the thrilling race to reach the Ryman North play-offs.

The Magpies have powered to within touching distance of the top five with just three matches to go of the regular season. And with only Needham Market and Harlow Town – locked in a two-way showdown for the title – guaranteed to reach the end-of-season shoot-out for promotion, the stakes are as high as ever going in to this afternoon's clash at Aldiss Park.

Dereham, seventh, and a point adrift of fifth-placed Thurrock, will move to just four points behind Brentwood Town, third, if they dispose of them today. If other results go their way, Matt Henman's men could also find themselves back in the top five come the close of play.

So there will be nerves aplenty as the Magpies – who are unbeaten in four matches – look to steal a march on one of their main competitors to earn promotion to the Ryman Premier Division come the end of what has been a thrilling battle to get up into the top flight.