FORGET your Manchester United v Arsenal clashes - for top of the table battles look no further than Irongate this Saturday.

Championship favourites Altrincham arrive to play Bamber Bridge in a contest which will probably decide who walks away with the UniBond Premier League title.

Before Tuesday's games, Brig were top of the league following last weekend's 1-0 win against Blyth Spartans, with Altrincham clinching second spot, two points behind Bamber Bridge but still with four games in hand.

Last weekend's win clinched the top spot for Bamber Bridge once again, and if they harbour ambitions about staying there, they know only a win will do in front of the home crowd.

Manager Tony Greenwood says he knows it is a game they cannot afford to lose.

He said: "To me, it is the most important game of the season to date because Altrincham are strong favourite for the title and we really need to beat them if we want to stand a chance.

"We definitely can't afford to lose and, looking at the number of games they have in hand, a draw isn't much use either.

"There will be too much pressure on us in our final eight games if we lose. There is no doubt about it, this is a big game and one I hope will attract a lot of people."

Greenwood also has to contend with injury worries for the first time this season.

Until now, only Mark Milligan has disturbed the manager's plans with his long term injury which has prevented him from playing for much of the season.

Now regular goalkeeper Craig Dootson will be missing after breaking his little finger. He has already missed the last two games and won't be fit again for at least another two weeks.

His place goes to impressive deputy Alex Harrison.

Captain Darren Brown will also miss the game after sustaining an injury during Saturday's win.

Greenwood believes that injury will cause him most concern because it will disturb his settled back four.

He added: "So far, our defending has been excellent and that is down to good old fashion hard work and tracking back."

But the biggest test will come this weekend when the defence, which includes the reliable Wayne Maddock, have to contend with Altrincham's striker Leroy Chambers, who has netted 18 goals so far this season.

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