Teignmouth joint-player manager Geoff Breslan admits his side can't afford to slip up this weekend at home to title favourites Stoke Gabriel if they hold genuine hopes of winning the league.
The Teigns, who sit second in the table, head into the match in an excellent vein of form, having last tasted defeat in the league in August.
The Fishermen remain favourites for the title as they trail the Teigns by just two points with three games in hand.
And Breslan feels that, while defeat would all but end their title hopes, victory would keep them alive.
"It is a big game if we seriously want to win the league. We can't really afford to drop any more points if we do," he said. "If we can beat Stoke and win a few more then maybe we will give ourselves a chance.
"Even if we do win though it does not automatically mean we are going to win the league. There is all to play for and every point is very precious.
"If they beat us and win their games in hand they could be 10 points clear of us. That would be a tall ask for anyone, even Exwick Villa who I do not think are as strong as Stoke.
"Saturday is a chance for us to pit ourselves against the best in the league because I think whoever finishes above them will win it."
The Teigns – who should be at full strength for the clash – head into the match in fine fettle, having defeated Plymouth Parkway Reserves 2--1 on Saturday in the third round of the Devon Premier Cup thanks to Hayden Roe's double.
It was arguably Alphington who secured the best result of the weekend as they warmed up for their clash at Sidmouth Town with an 8-1 walloping of Galmpton United.
Amazingly, it was the hosts who took the lead as the Alphas struggled early in the contest, but they roared back with doubles from Pete Darke, Ryan Leverton, Tom Bath and Franz Garhrdsson, leaving joint-player manager Shaun Lyne-Ley understandably delighted.
"Their manager summed it up well afterwards by saying that they were slightly off-colour but we were absolutely on fire," he said.
"It was an incredible game and we could have scored more in all honestly, although we were actually a goal down and struggling after 20 minutes and Sean Adderley cleared one off the line.
"There were some outstanding performances. Our captain Gary Wills really came of age for us after stepping won from Peninsula Premier level while Sean Adderley alongside him in midfield was also superb.
"We have shown glimpses of that in games and looked very positive but this time it just clicked."
Opponents Sidmouth had their fine recent run ended by Newton Abbot Spurs, who scored a last-minute winner through Joe Andrews. Adam Dyson had earlier scored for Spurs – who host Appledore on Saturday – only for Jake Boyland to level from the spot after Andy Isaac had earlier missed from 12 yards.
Despite that setback, and Alphington's astonishing win, Lyne-Ley warned his side not to take the points for granted.
"It was typical me really but afterwards I told the players that if we do not get a result against Sidmouth then that win will be quickly forgotten," he said. "We need to build on that and I don't want people thinking we're one of those inconsistent teams that only turns it on at certain times.
"We played Sidmouth at the start of the season and although a lot of people did not fancy them I thought they were strong.
"They have been a bit inconsistent and you always fear that inconsistency but I guess it is the same with us that season.
"We need to be more consistent if we are to get that top-six finish we desperately want."
Unfortunately for Lyne-Ley, he is not the only manager who has his sights set on the top six, as Crediton United's Matt Trenaman wants the same.
Kirton visit Budleigh Salterton having secured a late 2-1 win over Totnes & Dartington last time out.
Joint-player manager Perry Carpenter opened the scoring from the spot only for the visitors to level, but Trenaman scrambled home a late winner to give them the points.
"I think the top four have broken away to an extent and will be hard to catch but I think anywhere in the top six is more than achievable," he said.
"However, top six is probably the aim for a lot of clubs in this division and lots could still do it.
"Alphington won 8-1 at Galmpton so that shows that anybody really can beat anybody and a few bad results can easily drop you down again.
"Having said that, we are just over halfway through the season and have played every team and we are up there on merit and are not afraid of anyone."
Opponents Budleigh thumped Liverton United 5-0 with a double from Jack Greeenslade helping them along. Mark Lever, Sam Woodin and George Pannell also scored.
Exeter University host Exwick Villa in an all-Exeter affair on Saturday and with both sides looking to bounce back from defeats.
The Students lost 2-1 at Axminster Town, with a double from Ben Turner winning it for the Tigers despite Myles Blenkinsop.
Villa exited the Devon Premier Cup after a 7-5 home loss to Willand Rovers reserves. Matt Byrne, Callum Hoare, Danny Burwood, Neil Pointing and Harry Taylor scored for Vila.
Axminster visit Totnes & Dartington on Saturday, while Okehampton Argyle visit Galmpton United having lsot 3-0 at home to Newtown.
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