TWO massive games in four days face Ian Atkins's side as they seek to salvage some glory from a season which initially promised so much.

Tomorrow's derby at Coca Cola League Two leaders Yeovil the first of the tests. Town have dropped three points at home in only one game - against Macclesfield in October and it was the Moss Rose side that emerged victorious again at the weekend.

When the sides met at the Memorial Stadium Rovers, down to nine men, produced the come-back of he season for a 2-2 draw. Fans relished that one but not the 4-0 drubbing their side suffered last season at Huish Park.

Tuesday's sees the LDV Vans Trophy southern final at the Memorial Stadium, with last season's runners-up, Southend, the opponents. Rovers will surely need a win to give themselves a fighting chance at Roots Hall in the second leg on March 8. When the sides met in the league in August Rovers had a 2-1 victory with home advantage.

Saturday's 3-0 triumph over Grimsby should have provided just the tonic Rovers need to go into these games. It was as comprehensive a performance as they have given, with all the goals coming in the first half. And all were magnificent strikes. But early on home goalkeeper Ryan Clarke was the hero with several fine saves as Town threatened an upset.

James Hunt smashed home the first from 20 yards on 27 minutes. Ryan Williams, getting a rare move off the bench after John Trollope's injury, thundered home from greater distance on 38 minutes. Richard Walker, who scored with a lob at Oxford the previous week, repeated his feat.

Atkins did not underestimate the value of the win. He said: "If we can build on this now, keep creating chances and not let the opposition back in, then we will get better results. I think we should be higher up the league but the results don't show that. But this was a fantastic win and we need to make the most of it."

Whether Williams, who had been recalled from loan at Conference side Forest Green Rovers because of mounting injuries, stays at Rovers will be dictated by finances. Atkins is under pressure to trim the wage bill and this week striker Lee Thorpe moved to Severnside rivals Swansea to provide some respite.

Success on the pitch in the coming weeks could well ease that pressure if gates can return to above 8,000 as they were earlier in the season.