BOSS John Hill has challenged his Halesowen Town players to build on their battling point with high-flying Shaw Lane.

The Yeltz drew 0-0 last Saturday to end a three-game losing streak and set them up for a run of fixtures against sides in the bottom half of the table.

Second-from-bottom Hales first face fellow strugglers Marine at the Grove this Saturday (3pm kick-off) before clashes with Matlock, Whitby and Nantwich.

The manager said: "A point and a clean sheet against one of the favourites to win this league is a very good result for us.

"It looked like we might be in for a long afternoon after 15 minutes but we weathered the storm and got ourselves a foothold in the game.

"We then held our own and created a few chances to nick the win. In the end a draw was fair and we can take a lot of confidence from that.

"Our challenge now is to build on that and take it forwards.

"Saturday's game is massive and it's imperative we start to put a run together.

"Marine will be tough game though. They have hit a bit of form too and got themselves a nice draw in the FA Trophy too."

Only long-term absentees Jack Kelly, Roland Agbor and Dom Smith are missing ahead of the weekend as Halesowen's injury troubles begin to ease.

Kelly faces a spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on the injury he picked up when colliding with an advertising board during the derby clash with Stourbridge.

However, Hill bolstered his squad last week with the arrivals of midfielder Ivor Lawton and Fairfield Villa's Ellis Blakemore.

"For the first time in a long time we had a strong squad to choose from," added the boss.

"It makes a real difference when you have players on the bench that are equal in experience and ability to those on the pitch."