THE MATCH: East Thurrock will be bidding to take their cup form into the league when they welcome Oxford City tomorrow.

After an inconsistent run in the National League South, in which Rocks have lost three of the last four, John Coventry’s team have secured back-to-back 1-0 wins against Concord Rangers and Chester.

The hosts would gladly take a similar result tomorrow against a City side who have also lost three of the last four and are looking over their shoulders near the foot of the division.

Defeat to basement side Whitehawk last weekend came as a big blow to Oxford, who will be determined to bounce back.

THE INSIGHT: “I need league points and quite quickly to settle our fears slightly,” said Coventry. “It makes no difference that Oxford lost to Whitehawk as someone was always going to lose to them. Whitehawk are a team that is constantly changing its squad so it can be hard to play them.

“Regardless of who we are playing I want to take the work rate into the next game.

“I have seen an increase in attitude and performance. I saw a level of complacency that crept into our game after a good first half to the season. That can cause work rate to drop.”

THE TEAM NEWS: George Allen (hamstring) may need to see a back specialist and will miss the next month, Ben Marlow (knee) is out and Sammy Knott is nearing a return.