BASINGSTOKE Town are gearing up for the biggest league game in their history after reaching the Blue Square Bet South play-offs.

Jason Bristow’s men got the draw they needed at Welling United to secure a place in the top five and will face Dartford in the play-off semi-finals – with the first leg at the Camrose on Wednesday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

“It is an exciting time and Wednesday’s game is definitely the biggest league game the club has ever played,” Bristow said. “We are potentially three games away from the Blue Square Bet Premier.”

Saturday’s 1-1 draw in Kent was followed by scenes of celebration on and off the pitch – but Bristow says that the hard work is only just beginning.

“We have come so far and achieved so much that it would be a shame if we thought the job was done,” he said. “The players deserve to go on and make a real impact on the play-offs. We have achieved one goal but now it is the big one and we need to prepare properly for Wednesday.”

Town go into the post-season as the league’s in-form team, having won eight and lost just one of their last 11 to snatch fifth position from Chelmsford City in the final week of the season.

It’s an amazing achievement, especially considering that Basingstoke were 12 points outside the play-offs and 13 points behind Chelmsford when Bristow took over as manager in late February.

“Getting here was a massive ask when we took over so to have done it is fantastic,” the Town boss said. “If you had said that we would be in this position 15 games ago, nobody would have believed you.

“By rights we should not have had a chance but we have shown that we are competitive by getting results from our games against Dover, Chelmsford and Welling.

“To finish four points ahead of Chelmsford is a fantastic achievement. I do not think we will realise just what we have achieved until the season is over .

“The effort the players have put in and the way they have conducted themselves means they deserve a lot of praise.”

Club chairman Rafi Razzak added: “I’m proud of them all. Jason and Kevin have turned the season around without any additional players and it’s a brilliant achievement.

“I hope we have a big turnout on Wednesday night. Dartford will bring a lot of supporters so we need all of the Basingstoke fans there to get behind the team.”

Normal admission prices will apply for the game, while season ticket holders will be granted entry on production of their season ticket books.

See today's Gazette for a full report from Saturday’s game and more on the play-off semi-final – both legs of which will be covered live at basingstokegazette.co.uk/sport