SANDIACRE Town will be relishing putting the pressure on Ockbrook & Borrowash when the Beechwood Derbyshire Premier League's top two go head-to-head tomorrow.

Sandiacre have closed down Ockbrook's once seemingly unassailable lead in the title race to a manageable 17 points during a month in which the leaders have failed to win a league match.

And Sandiacre captain John Trueman says it's an unexpected bonus to find themselves in the hunt.

"This has come out of nowhere because we really didn't think we were in with a shout," said Trueman.

"We had been concentrating on the National Cup and, in the league, we were just going out to enjoy our cricket and see what happened.

"We just didn't expect to be in this position and we'll feel no pressure tomorrow.

"We think all the pressure will be on them – and that's certainly the way we intend to make them feel."

Sandiacre reached the semi-finals of the national competition for clubs, the Cockspur Cup, before being beaten by Leicestershire side Kibworth and Trueman admits thoughts turned to the league title immediately afterwards.

"The first thing we said after the Kibworth game was 'let's not be down about being knocked out in a national semi-final,'" he said.

"Getting there was a bonus this season because, as a side, we are a bit of a work in progress at the moment.

"Now we'll give the league our best shot and, if we can come out on top of the game, even if we don't win it, we'll be happy.

"If the gap is within 10 points going into the last weekend, it will be all to play for."

Only a few weeks ago, the gap was 50 points and Ockbrook were being described as champions-elect, looking to be on their way to a third Premier League title in four years.

But, this month, they were forced to accept second-best in a losing draw against Chesterfield, then lost their unbeaten league record for the season at home to Ilkeston Rutland, although they did beat Ilkeston the next day in the Premier Cup semi-final.

Last week, they were frustrated when Alvaston & Boulton made little attempt to pursue a victory target and batted out their 50 overs with only four wickets down.

By contrast, Sandiacre, after a distinctly average first half of the season in which they were unable to field a settled side, have enjoyed an unbeaten month.

And, stretching back into July, they have won four of the last seven league matches in which play has been possible, recording winning draws in the other three.