Why Rushall Olympic are looking to change their recent pattern of results

The Pics have climbed out of the Northern Premier relegation zone thanks to that recent trend of picking up three points every other game since the start of December.

They have also suffered some bad defeats in that time - including a 3-1 reverse against second-bottom Stocksbridge Park Steels in their most recent home game - and with promotion-chasing FC United of Manchester in town tomorrow (3pm), Rushall boss Long knows it is all about getting points on the board.

"We've been good, then bad, and ugly," said Long, reflecting on his side's recent form, which included a 2-1 victory at fellow strugglers Hyde United last time out. “We were ugly last Saturday, but needed to be and we got the win. We just need to try and build on it.

“It’s about getting points on the board. We went down to 10 men early in the second half and we had to dig in. To be fair to the lads they really did dig in. It was a real battle, it was a dogged performance.”

Though FC United are right in the hunt for promotion, they have won just once since the start of the year - and Rushall will be buoyed by some good performances against the top sides, including a 1-0 victory over Hednesford Town on New Year's Day.

“It’s a big game," said Long. "They are not going through the best of form themselves.

“I am looking forward to it. Hopefully we can get back to winning ways at home because we are were disappointing against Stocksbridge last time out.

“Our form is not bad now, it is starting to pick up a little bit, but we know it will be a real test.

“We played third and fourth in the league in our next two games, so it is going to be tough.

“But we are capable of doing it, we have shown that already this season with results against Hednesford and draws against Warrington Rylands and some of the top sides we have already taken points from.”

After a festive wobble, including that defeat to Rushall, second-placed Hednesford Town have won each of their last two matches - and they will be going for a hat-trick when they visit Gainsborough Trinity tomorrow.

It is a rematch of last season's FA Cup first-round tie at Keys Park, which Hednesford led 3-0 and 4-3 before being knocked out on penalties in heart-breaking fashion.

Halesowen Town's recent fine form will be put to the test in the Southern Central Premier.

The Yeltz have won four matches in a row to move up to third in the table, but they would likely drop straight back out the play-off positions with defeat at sixth-placed Redditch United.

Second -placed Harborough Town - who sit 12 points ahead of Halesowen - provide tomorrow's formidable hosts for relegation-threatened Stourbridge.

The Glassboys have picked up over the past six weeks, though they dropped back into the bottom four following defeat to Redditch.