IT’S been a long time since Basingstoke Town were last involved in a top-of-the-table clash during January – but the Dragons are currently preparing for two massive games in their Vanarama Conference South promotion push.

Jason Bristow’s men sit fourth in the table, but a win over second-placed Bromley on Saturday could see them move up two places ahead of a trip to league leaders Boreham Wood next weekend.

Town manager Bristow said: “If you had offered us this position at the start of the season, I would have bitten your hand off. Now we have to build and hold our form for the whole season.

“It’s testament to the squad and team that we are still billing these games as top-of-the-table clashes and have a chance of going second in January. If we can get three points on Saturday, it will really set up the trip to Boreham Wood a week later.

“We are looking forward to the next two games. We have already beaten both Bromley and Boreham Wood this season and will be looking to do the double over both of them, but we will need to be at the top of our game to do so.”

However, Bristow admits that the club do not have the same financial clout as some of the other sides gunning for promotion.

The most obvious example are Ebbsfleet United, who have signed several players from the Football League over the last month, but other clubs have also been splashing the cash of late.

Leaders Boreham Wood yesterday announced the signing of Ebbsfleet captain Daryl McMahon on a two-and-a-half year deal, while two more ex-Ebbsfleet men, striker Ben May and winger Anthony Cook, joined Bromley this week. Havant and Waterlooville have also signalled their intent by signing former Town striker Ben Wright.

Basingstoke boss Bristow said: “Because there is no runaway leader this year, people are throwing money around to try to get automatic promotion.

“We can’t compete with the sort of money being spent. We have not got anybody here because of the money we pay them. They are here because they want to play and progress.

“It’s exciting for everyone that we are in this position, but it’s important that we do not get too carried away. If we fail to get three points every game, people are starting to get disappointed, but we are still in a fantastic position.”

Saturday’s opponents, Bromley, have lost their last four games, but Bristow is expecting a really difficult game.

“Bromley are a very good side,” he said. “They score a lot of goals and are a really good attacking side. They were unbeaten away from home until last weekend so we will need to play really well to win the game.

“They are the sort of side that we might relish playing against. They will look to get forward, which may give us the space to attack ourselves.”

Town will be without captain Jay Gasson and midfielders Simon Dunn and Jamie Brown through injury, but striker Lloyd Macklin could return after a rib injury.

Sam Argent has been allowed to join Southern League Hungerford Town on loan, but Bristow insists that the striker remains in his plans going forward.

Follow John Boyman's live text coverage of Saturday's top-of-the-table clash on this site