JON UNDERWOOD has not ruled out challenging for the title this season as Slough Town made it six wins from eight matches on Saturday.

The Rebels beat Dorchester Town 4-0 at The Avenue Stadium to strengthen their position in the Southern Premier Division play-offs.

They are now nine points above Banbury United in sixth place and nine below top-of-the-table Chippenham Town, but with two games in hand.

Underwood predicts that they will need around 85 points to secure a play-off spot but, with favourites Chippenham still to play Merthyr (fifth) and Hitchin (second), he believes Slough are still in the title mix.

“It’s very close at the moment in the top five. Chippenham are in the best position with points on the board but we’re all very bunched up and the top teams have still got to play each other,” the Rebels joint-manager told the Observer.

“We still think top spot is up for grabs and we feel we’ve come into form at a good time. We’ve won six of our last eight and are looking to continue that run. If we can finish the season in that form then there’s a good chance we will finish in the top two.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Manny Williams heads Slough into the lead at Dorchester on Saturday.

“We will probably need five wins (for the play-offs). That will take us to 85 points and even if we lost the other six matches it might be enough.

“I’m confident that we will be in the top five mix but nothing is done and dusted yet so there’s no chance of us resting on our laurels and settling for a play-off spot.

“If you finish second or third you get a home tie in the play-offs, so there’s a lot to play for even if we don’t win it.”

Underwood continued: “Chippenham have got to be the favourites because they’ve got the points in the bag while others have dropped some in the past week.

“They are the current form team, they’re the most consistent, so you have to say they are the favourites, but I think they will drop points still.

“They’ve still got to play two of the top five and there’s no easy place to go in this league. They are in top spot and have a target on them, so teams will raise their game against them.”

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: James Dobson scores the first of his two goals on Saturday.

Slough welcome Basingstoke to Arbour Park this Saturday (3pm) before a trip to Biggleswade next Wednesday (7.45pm).

Underwood commented: “Basingstoke ended a really good run we were on back then and we had a bad day. It was one of those days where we just didn't get going.

“Basingstoke are on a good run at the moment. They' re a young side that trains full -time so it will be a decent game.

“The pitch will suit their style as well as us so it will be a good competitive game “We've got to get the win, it's important to get the three points."