PHIL Male has called on the Tividale players to approach tomorrow’s game at Carlton Town like any other when the bottom two sides meet at the Bill Stokeld Stadium in the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League, First Division South (KO 15:00).

A first victory on the road of the 2015-16 campaign would see Dale leapfrog out of the relegation places for the first time since September, but Male insists Tivi need to make sure they don’t get caught up in the occasion.

“It’s a big game for us, the biggest of the season so far,” Male said.

“But we need to concentrate, Carlton are the favourites as they’re on home soil. We have to be patient, wait for the game to come to us and take our chances when they come.”

Male was delighted with the players’ efforts during last weekend’s cruel 2-1 home defeat against promotion chasing Coalville Town and says that’s the level of performance both he and Joint Manager expect from their players on a weekly basis.

“I thought the lads were outstanding last weekend and, on another day, we’d have won the game 2-0. Malachi (Farquharson) has struck the inside of the post with the goalkeeper beaten.

“It would have been very difficult for Coalville to return from two down. All of a sudden we’re 1-1 but we definitely deserved at least a point.”

Dale are also boosted by the return of forward Demetri Brown for the trip to Nottinghamshire following a three week spell on the sidelines with an ankle problem.

“It will be good to have Demetri back available for us – he’s got great pace and very direct,” added Male.

“We have some very good attacking players. Sterling, Farquharson, Mark (Danks), Chris Rabone, Ashley Jackson and Tom Turton are all capable of hurting teams.

“Tomorrow is the kind of game where you need your flair players to produce a moment of magic.”