Horsham v AFC Hornchurch: MATCH PREVIEW

AFC Hornchurch make the trip to Gorings Mead on Tuesday evening with Hornets boss John Maggs demanding his players cut out the individual errors that have become a frustrating feature of their current poor run. In an interview with the West Sussex County Times, Maggs confessed his side were "having a torrid time at the moment", the latest setback coming at the hands of Billericay Town on Saturday. "You can't just keep giving goals away in the manner we did. It's an uphill battle when you give two goals away. It was the same at Sutton, two dreadful goals there and then it doesn't matter what you do, especially on that pitch where the ball doesn't roll."

The treacherous playing surface undoubtedly played its part in Billericay's second goal when Josh Pelling sliced the slippery ball straight to goalscorer Danny Charge but Hornchurch have also been grateful beneficiaries of Horsham's charity when an own goal from Sam Page set the Urchins on their way to a valuable win just 10 days ago.

At the time of that meeting, 5 points and 5 places separated the 2 teams but their contrasting form has seen the Essex club overhaul Horsham to move in to the top half of the table. However, it is the Urchins' home form that has helped them close the gap on the play-off contenders, the side from Upminster having only recorded 4 victories on their league travels this season with Saturday's 2-0 reverse at Kingstonian their 7th in 16 games and a goal tally better only than relegation candidates Bognor.

History would also appear to be on the side of the hosts who have not lost to Hornchurch on their own ground in almost 30 years. Having returned to the side for a cameo appearance at the weekend, Alex Haddow is unavailable for selection so Mark Knee is set for a wide role with James Nicholls coming in at full-back, while new signing Mark Zawadski provides the goalkeeping cover on the bench.