GARY Hackett says now is the time for Stourbridge to reignite their push for a Northern Premier League play-off place.

The Glassboys will welcome leaders Altrincham to the War Memorial Ground this Saturday (3pm kick-off) looking for a big scalp to kick-start their promotion ambition.

Manager Hackett believes his team can now push on, especially given the extra options at his disposal.

Jack Duggan, Connor Gater, Aaron Forde and Luke Shearer were among a host of players to get valuable minutes into their legs during last Monday's Birmingham Senior Cup win against a youthful Wolves side.

Stour won 2-1 against the Wanderers after keeper Matt Gould saved an injury-time penalty to ensure they progressed.

The win also saw them bounce back quickly from last Saturday's FA Trophy loss against big-spending Billericay Town. The Glassboys lost 3-2 after conceding in the dying seconds.

Attention now turns to Saturday's battle with the pacesetters and Hackett said: "Our target at the start of the season was a good run in the FA Cup and FA Trophy and to reach the play-offs in the league.

"We have done well in the Trophy and even though it doesn't feel like it, we had a decent run to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup as well.

"We've had a blip in the league but I strongly believe we can make the play-offs and Saturday's game could be a massive step towards that.

"It's going to be a really attractive fixture between two very attacking sides. Hopefully the fans can turn out and support us again.

"They have been brilliant and the celebrations for the goals at Billericay were great. Hopefully they can show that again on Saturday.

"We now have to show we are capable of getting one of those play-off places."

Hackett was full of support for Gould after his last-ditch penalty save on Monday night followed a key mistake against Billericay.

He added: "I thought we were excellent in the second half against Billericay and it was disappointing that we couldn't at least get a replay. We maybe deserved a better fate.

"Matt Gould has made a mistake but we have to remember how consistent he has been during his time here.

"He has had a blip recently but we are all behind him and sometimes you need spells like that to become a better goalkeeper.

"Despite that mistake he came back strong and showed great character to be there when we needed him."

Paul McCone needed stitches in a head wound after the Wolves clash but should recover to feature this weekend.

However, defender Duggan is now pushing hard for a league start himself.

"Jack Duggan played his first 90 minutes for a few weeks and was superb," said the boss after Monday's cup success. "He is now right in the reckoning for a starting place again.

"We now have a stronger squad than we've had for quite a while and that only bodes well."

One option Hackett no longer has is midfielder Richard Batchelor, who left within days of joining the Glassboys from Stafford after being unable to commit to the travelling. He has since linked up with Highgate United.