Crusaders 'must win' Dover clash

Hungerford Town boss Danny Robinson isn't giving up on National League South survival despite his side's 2-1 defeat at Farnborough on New Year's Day, which plunged the Crusaders further into trouble at the foot of the table.

George Smith's smart header had given Hungerford the lead in Hampshire but goals from Hisham Kasimu and Mason Bloomfield either side of half time took the game out of the Crusaders' reach, despite goalkeeper Jed Ward saving two second half penalties.

Robinson admitted he was disappointed with the result but felt that on balance his side, who were unable to cope with Farnborough's direct approach, could have few complaints.

"I don't think I've ever come across a more direct side than Farnborough in this league, but they're very good at what they do," he said.

"With someone like Oliver Pendlebury, who puts it on a sixpence, on set pieces and their well rehearsed long throws, it's very difficult to deal with and we probably needed a bit of luck.

"We knew everything inside our half was going straight into our penalty box, I think we had something like 62 balls direct into our box over the two games, I've not experienced anything like that before.

"We hung in there and got ourselves in front against the run of play, they deserved the equaliser and probably deserved to go on and win the game in the second half, I'm not going to grumble about it."

Bristol Rovers loanees Jed Ward, who saved penalties from both Kasimu and Pendlebury, and Ryan Jones once again impressed for Hungerford, and Robinson was quick to praise the impact of his loan players.

Ward has been an assured presence in goal whenever he's been fit and available while Jones, who last week extended his loan spell until the end of the season, has impressed at full-back and wing-back.

The recent addition of striker Dan Roberts, who has scored four goals since signing on loan from Dartford, looks to be another shrewd signing and Robinson believes the trio could be central to Hungerford's survival hopes.

He said: "All three of them have made a big difference to us.

"Jed's going to be a very good goalkeeper, I've got no doubt about that. He's going to go on and have a stellar career in football.

"Ryan Jones has probably been the pick of the players since he's been here, we're delighted to keep him until the end of the season, he's vital.

"I've known Dan Roberts ever since I was with Thatcham, he's a proven goalscorer which as we know is what we need."

Hungerford host 15th placed Dover Athletic – who haven't won in four – on Saturday and Robinson has labelled the game as a "must win".

"It doesn't matter where we are in the table, every game's always a must win for my teams. We have to have that attitude," he said.

"Saturday's no different, it's a tough ask but our home form's got to be bang on if we're going to give ourselves a chance."