Horsham boss Dom Di Paola insists there is no pressure on his side to win as they prepare to host fellow play-off chasers Bognor.

The Hornets sit sixth in the BetVictor Isthmian Premier, just five points outside the play-offs with Bognor in ninth and 12 points off the top five.

Di Paola believes it is not a must win game for his side even if three points would press their claims.

He said: “I don’t think there are any games in this league that are must win because even when you think you are out of it, something happens and you are still in with a shout, which shows how tight the league is.

“For us in these last ten or 11 games you can lose some that you are expected to win and pick up points in places you didn’t expect, so there is no pressure on us.”

Bognor are trying to make a late surge for the play-offs, but were dealt a blow at the weekend as they drew 2-2 away at Merstham despite goals by Dan Smith and sub Ashton Leigh.

Di Paola still expects a difficult evening for his side.

He said: “They are a really good side, much like most of those sides in the top 11 or 12, and they have been in that position for a long time, so it will be a difficult game.”

But Bognor coach Robbie Blake knows the pressure is on his side to bring back three points.

Blake said: “It’s a massive game and it is a must win game for us now.

“It is getting to the stage where every game needs to be a win and that is the pressure we have to put on the players.

“If they can’t respond then you have to replace them or understand we have not been good enough to get in the play-offs.

“It’s one we are looking forward to and, hopefully, we can get something from it.”

Blake was angered after Merstham were able to get a grip on the game to score two goals before Rocks fought back to earn a point.

Blake said: “The lads went to the end (against Merstham) but we are giving ourselves a mountain to climb every time and we have got to stop doing that.

“We have to learn from that first 20 minutes and impose our style and play on our opponents.

“If we do then we shall get the rewards and we have to do that against Horsham.”

Horsham get well supported at the Camping World Stadium with an average crowd of 597 only second best in the division to Worthing (892).

Di Paola hopes they can help to spur on his side.

He said: “We always enjoy playing at home and always get a good gate. The fans are always supportive so, hopefully, it should be a good game.”

Injured midfielders Jack Brivio and Lee Harding are rated 50/50 for Hornets.