WALTHAM Forest manager Tony Ievoli is preparing his side for a ‘cup final’ clash with local rivals Leyton as he seeks to mastermind the club’s escape from the clutches of relegation.

The Stags endured a miserable December, losing all four of their matches, and that has seen them tumble to second bottom in the Ryman Division One North league table.

But with three of those games being lost by just a single goal, Ievoli knows there is plenty of encouragement to be taken from the performances.

And the boss is adamant that a win at Cricklefields on Saturday could kick-start their season, as the gap between themselves and safety threatens to widen.

“I think we’re a bit caught up in trying not to win games at the moment, rather than attempting to win them,” he said after seeing the team’s proposed match with Waltham Abbey postponed due to a frozen pitch at the weekend.

“But there is a very fine line between winning and losing and we just need one win to hopefully turn things around.

“Winning breeds confidence and a win over Leyton on Saturday would be a great way to start.”

While Forest are battling their own demons down the bottom of the table, Leyton are not without their troubles, despite their comfortable mid-table position.

The Lilywhites are winless in their last nine games after a torrid winter period and have slipped out of contention for a play-off place as a result.

However, they will know that taking three points on Saturday will give them the chance to get back in contention.

Elsewhere, Waltham Abbey have the chance to close in on leaders Aveley when they travel to second-placed Brentwood Town on Saturday.

The Abbotts will be hoping the second half of the year will be as productive as the first.

But they will have a tough task on their hands as Brentwood inflicted a home 3-1 defeat on Abbey earlier this season, while they have lost just three of their 22 games so far this campaign.