HARRIERS manager Mark Yates believes that his side's spirit is crucial if they are to maintain their excellent run of form away at Eastbourne Borough in the Blue Square Premier on Saturday.

The Aggborough side have only dropped five points in the last eight games to rise to third place in the table.

Even when Yates' side have not been at their best against York City and Weymouth they have shown the winning habit by seeing of their opponents.

Part of Harriers' success has been consistency of selection, with Yates picking exactly the same 11 players for the last six games.

The manager though insists that the squad's collective will to succeed is the reason why they have done so well so far this campaign.

"We have stuck with the same team in the last few games and that's a measure of how well the players have done," commented the manager.

"But it's not just about the the guys who play. The players on the bench are also supporting the team and willing them to win.

"And even if they don't start all the players have a big part to play if we are to be successful.

"The squad has a brilliant spirit and that's one of the reasons we are doing so well.

"But we have a tough test against Eastbourne, they won't make it easy for us and we'll have to continue to work hard."

For the trip to East Sussex, Yates is once again set to stick with the same side, despite the excellent form of recent substitutes Darryl Knights and David McDermott.

Knights bagged the late winner against Weymouth, while McDermott's introduction added some spark to Harriers against York and also set up Justin Richards for a late winner.

Harriers will be aiming to keep the goals flowing against shot-shy Eastbourne, who have only scored three times at home this season.

Yates team will be hoping that strikers Richards, who has scored seven goals, and Barnes-Homer who has bagged five, will continue their excellent partnership.

Midfielder Neil MacKenzie, who joined Harriers' on a month's loan today (Friday) (read story), could make his debut but is set to start his Harriers' career on the bench.

Eastbourne will check the fitness of striker's Jean-Michel Sigere and Alan Tait before Saturday's clash, but winger Mo Harkin and Nathan Crabb are set to be available if needed.

Shuttle On-Line will have team line-ups and live match updates from 3pm onwards.