“We need a miracle but are not giving up on the title” – that’s the view of assistant player-manager Lloyd Blackman as Ashford United prepare to visit unbeaten leaders Phoenix Sports in the Southern Counties East League’s top-two meeting on Saturday.

The clubs meet again at Homelands on Tuesday week (April 21) and Blackman said: “We are 11 points behind them but if win both games, the gap will be five.

“They still have to go to Erith & Belvedere and if they lose that, the gap could be down to two. They also have to play Crowborough and Beckenham.”

He added: “We have to win all our remaining five games.We need a small miracle but stranger things have happened.

“We go there with nothing to lose, the pressure is all on them.

“We have to go there with the 100% intention to attack from the start which is the only thing we can do. We can’t afford to hold out for a draw.”

Phoenix drew their two Easter games against Cray Valley (PM) and Crowborough and are the last side yet to suffer a league defeat in the top-eight tiers of non-league football.

Blackman said: “To still be unbeaten is a great achievement but we are at the business end of the season and a win for us will change the dynamics completely.”

Top scorer Stuart Zanone returns from holiday still heading the race for the League's Golden Boot.

United are at home to Sevenoaks Town on Tuesday (7.45pm).