Oxford and Stevenage may hold an nine and eight point advantage over the Hatters at the top of the Blue Square Premier but manager Richard Money believes his side can still catch them.

And with five of the next six, and eight of the last 12 matches at Kenilworth Road, the Town boss is confident his side can hunt down the top two and compete for the sole automatic promotion place.

"Definitely," he said talking to the media in the lead-up to Tuesday's clash with Forest Green Rovers. "I made it perfectly clear since I have been here that we need to win as many points as we possibly can and then we'll see where we end up.

"I don't think the top two are away clear and I think there are as many as nine teams still in contention.

"If Oxford and Stevenage think they are away in the clouds then good luck to them.

"You only have to take a look at the fixture list to realise there are some very big games coming up and at this time of year you do get some surprise results.

"We've been on the end of one recently and were nearly again on Saturday.

"At this stage of the season it's all about holding your nerve."

Dave Hockaday's Rovers are the first visitors in a three-game run of home matches in the next seven days for the Town.

Despite the Gloucestershire side's lowly position in the table, Money has warned that his side face another stern test in front of an expectant home crowd.

"I think the fact they beat York at the weekend is sign to everyone that it will be another tough game," he said.

"I don't care what division you're in, all games are tough.

"But it's about how we approach the game ourselves that matters.

"We will give Forest Green every respect. They are a good team who have a lot of mobility on their side.

"Dave likes to rotate his side around so we're uncertain how they are going to line-up but, as with all players at this level, they have those that can be as good as any in this division on their day.

"We've got to make sure we're mentality tough and strong enough and play the game in the right way."

As the business end of the campaign approaches, and with the majority of matches at Kenilworth Road, Money is hoping the Town support can get behind the team and act as their 12th man in their quest for success.

"I think with eight of the last 12 matches at home, we feel as though it's in our own hands," he said.

"Playing at home has never been a hindrance in my career.

"What more do you want? Playing in front of 7,000 people in the Conference. That's fantastic.

"The supporters can be our 12th man. A lot teams come here and treat it like their cup final and raise their game.

"There's no doubt our supporters can play an important part between now and the end of the season.

"But it's a double-edged sword: we need to make sure they're with us quickly in games to help drive us on."

On the injury front the Hatters' manager hopes to be able to call upon striker Liam Hatch who was withdrawn after feeling a hamstring strain in the second half of Saturday's victory at Hayes & Yeading, in which he scored the opening goal.

"We hope he will be OK and give him every chance," said Money.

"If Hatch didn't pull through tomorrow we are fortunate we still have a decent group of strikers to choose from, which one or two other teams might not have to.

"He is at the stage where we are just wrapping him up in cotton wool."

Kevin Nicholls will once again sit the fixture out with the skipper due to have an operation on a knee problem later this week.

He joins Ryan Charles (knee) and Lewis Emanuel (toe) on the sidelines.