GLASSBOYS boss Gary Hackett has no doubts his players will thrive on the pressure as they battle to secure a second-place finish.

Stourbridge let the lead slip when they drew 1-1 with St Ives at the War Memorial Ground last Saturday as third-placed King's Lynn cut the gap to just two points.

However, Hackett insists his players are fully aware of what is required now they find themselves in a battle for home advantage in this season's Southern League Central play-offs.

Stour now go to Needham Market this Saturday as they head into the final five games of the campaign.

Hackett said: "We trained really well this week and there was a definite spring in the step of the players.

"We spoke after Saturday's game and had a heart-to-heart and I know the players are ready to respond.

"We've maybe been a little bit in no man's land at times where we haven't quite been able to reach Kettering and had a big gap to those behind us.

"But now the pressure is on us again and that is something this group has always thrived on and I know they'll do it again.

"It's clear what we have to play for now and we'll be fully focused on ending the season strongly and setting ourselves up for the play-offs.

On the St Ives disappointment, he added: "The last two home league games before Saturday saw us win both and score eight goals. We have been clinical.

"We have then taken the lead early on against St Ives and should have gone on to add more. We had the chances but didn't take them.

"If we had I think we'd have only gone on to get more. Instead they have grown in confidence and managed to get a late equaliser and made it a very frustrating afternoon for us."

Hitman Luke Benbow is still missing for the trip to Needham but Aaron Forde and Callum Powell are both set to return.

"We have had a dip in away form recently and that is something that we need to put right," added Hackett.

"King's Lynn are having a good run at the moment and have cut the gap, like we did ourselves earlier in the season.

"We have a very determined group of players here and they know what we need to put right."