BASINGSTOKE Town face a crunch National League South basement battle this Saturday, as they travel to bitter Hampshire rivals Havant and Waterlooville.

The Dragons will hope they can roar to their fourth straight win in the league and continue their climb up the table.

Last weekend, a home win over Hemel Hempstead saw Town move off the bottom and in the process left Havant propping up the table one point behind them.

The Dragons are now two points away from safety, thanks to their recent winning streak and will hope to continue this at Westleigh Park on Saturday (3pm).

Town boss Michael Gilkes has a full squad to pick from, except for injured duo defender David Ray and midfielder Jamie Brown, who limped off in the game against Hemel.

The club are awaiting the results of a scan on Brown's, but he is ruled out of this weekend’s Hampshire derby.

Gilkes said: “There will be no extra pressure put on the players this weekend. At the moment we go into every game looking to get three points and continue our climb away from the bottom of the table."

“They had a good win in the FA Trophy last weekend, and so both of us go into the game having won last time out.”

Saturday will be the first league meeting this season between Hampshire rivals Basingstoke Town and Havant and Waterlooville.

The results of the two games could go a long way to decide the fate of both clubs at the end of the season.

The Hawks from south Hampshire unlike last season when they were flying high, they slipped to the bottom of the pile last weekend as the Dragons started their move in the opposite direction.

So this weekend is the classic six-pointer game and even if is the first league meting this season, the sides have already met in the FA Trophy at the end of November.

Former AFC Bournemouth striker James Hayter scored the opening goal for the home side after four minutes.

Town striker Liam Enver-Marum levelled things from the penalty spot after Simon Dunn was fouled, before half-time It was left to Ben Swallow to score the winner 10 minutes from the end of the game.

A game in which manager Gilkes felt his side had enough chances to win the game and were beaten were a very good goal.

Town will certainly have a new look to the centre of their defence on Saturday, as Callum Buckley and Dominic Hyam played their last time and both have since returned to their parent clubs.

The new combination of Jay Gasson and Jack Deaman, will hope to build on Saturday’s clean sheet against Hemel.

Basingstoke boss Gilkes will once again pick his team to do a job on the home side and said: “We have a good squad and I felt on Saturday it was the first game since taking over, that I felt we were in control from the start to the finish.”

“Hemel were a good side as their away record proved, but we will respect Havant and make sure we are well prepared ahead of the game.”