WITH such a huge prize at stake Richard Hill says it’s only natural that there will be “a bit of apprehension” in the Eastleigh camp ahead of Saturday's potential play-off clincher against Kidderminster Harriers at the Silverlake (5.15pm).

But at the same time he knows that while it’s uncharted territory for the club itself, he has a dressing room bursting at the seams with big-match experience.

The Spitfires go into the last-day showdown needing just a point to secure a top-five finish in the Vanarama Conference and set up a play-off semi-final against either Grimsby Town or the losers of the two-way title fight between Barnet and Bristol Rovers.

While fans are licking their lips in anticipation of another historic day in Stoneham Lane, Hill and his players have just gone about their business in normal fashion this week.

“All we can do is prepare professionally and try and play well as individuals and as a team and see where it takes us,” said the boss.

“It’s a big game but, in the grand scheme of things, it isn’t as big as some our players have played in.

“We’ve got Deon Burton who’s played in the World Cup (for Jamaica), Brian Howard’s played in some very big games and scored a winner against Liverpool (for Barnsley at Anfield) and James Constable and Jack Midson were involved in the 2010 Conference play-off final for Oxford United in front of over 42,000 at Wembley.

“There will always be a bit of apprehension, it’s only normal, especially when you’re on the verge of something. But days like Saturday are what we’re in the game for and it’s a test of strength and mind how you cope with it.

“The reason I do this is because I want to be part of games like Halifax and Lincoln and still be involved at the end of the season.

“Yes, it’s my job, but I do it for days like this. I’d much rather be in our position than Torquay’s because they’ve got nothing left to play for and when they go out on Saturday it won’t matter if they win or lose.”

Hill’s reference to Torquay is a significant one. Although the Gulls are doomed to a mid-table finish, they could still have a bearing on the play-off race at home to sixth-placed Macclesfield.

The Silkmen are two points behind Eastleigh (79 points) with a vastly inferior goal difference, while fifth-placed Forest Green Rovers – home to Dover Athletic – are wedged between the two on 78.

It’s fair to say that Hill and Torquay boss Chris Hargreaves do not exchange Christmas cards and Hill said: “If I were Macclesfield I’d be happy to play Torquay because Torquay blow hot and cold.

“But it’s in our hands. We’ve got where we are on our own merits and not relied on anyone else.

“We got 23 points from our first 15 games, 25 from our second 15 and 31 from our third 15.

“We’ve done our work and if it’s meant to be, it will be. It would be nice if we could get a bit of help from somewhere else, but I can’t see that happening. We’ve got to make sure we get across the line ourselves.”

Eastleigh have already beaten Saturday's visitors Kidderminster twice away this term – 3-1 in the league and 1-0 in the FA Cup. But the 14th-placed Harriers are enjoying a mini-revival, having held league leaders Barnet 1-1 last Saturday and lifted the Worcestershire Senior Cup in midweek.

Spitfires left-back Michael Green (hamstring) remains sidelined, but Dean Beckwith is over his stomach bug and Paul Reid is well on the mend from a broken rib.