CHELMSFORD City manager Rod Stringer is wary of the threat faced by his side when Truro City visit the Melbourne Stadium on Saturday.

The West Country side arrive in Essex having lost four of their last five National League South matches, but having recorded a 3-2 success over Oxford City last time out.

Speaking ahead of what is a vital clash for both sides, Stringer said: “Truro are always hard to play against. We went down there on the opening day of the season and got a 2-2 draw. We were 2-0 down and managed to pull it back. They are a decent side and have some good footballers there. Every game in this division is tough, I don’t expect Truro to travel all the way across the country and just give us the points. I expect them to put up a fight, they will want to take something back to Devon.

“We’ve got to make sure that we are at our best. I’ve got to pick a side that is going to be good enough to go out there and win that game. I’m sure Truro will be aware that this is a tough game for them, but we respect the fact it will be difficult for us as well. There are no ‘gimmies’ in this league. We have the mindset that nothing is easy and it will always be tough.”

Following last week's setback at Ebbsfleet United, the Clarets chief was pragmatic about his side's title chances but insisted they would continue to give every ounce of energy as the campaign hots up, adding: “Mathematically it can still be done, but you have to be realistic in this game. We’d have to go on one hell of a run while Maidenhead would have to have a bad spell. At the moment it seems like a two-horse race. I thought Ebbsfleet looked good value for money on Saturday, a decent, well-organised side with plenty of experience. We fell a little bit short on Saturday but we can’t give up on it. At the end of the day, we need to keep hold of that dream, although we’d need to win every game.

“We’ve always said that if we get beaten it is important to get back to winning ways. Sometimes you lose two on the bounce and that brings a little bit more pressure on the third game. Obviously, we lost at Ebbsfleet United, we now need to make sure that we pick up the three points against Truro on Saturday.”

Chelmsford City v Truro City admission prices: Adults (Age 18 to 64) - £13.00, Concessions (Age 65 & over) & Students - £9.00, Young Adults (Age 12 to 17) - £5.00, Children (11 & under) - Free, Family (Two adults and two children) - £25.00.