Hampton & Richmond Borough boss Alan Dowson has warned his fringe stars they must perform if they believe they are the men to give his team a lift during the run-in.

The Beavers head to Ryman Division One South Walton & Hersham tonight in a behind-closed-doors friendly, where new signing Leon Solomon, Charlie Moone, Eddie Hutchinson, Dan Thompson and Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick will be given much-needed game time.

Hampton were held to a 1-1 draw at Hendon on Saturday allowing East Thurrock United the chance to slash their advantage at the Ryman Premier League summit to just one point.

"We've got to get more energy in the team and we'll look at a couple of lads tonight," he said.

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New face: Hampton signing Leon Solomon, left, in his Welling United days

"It is not a case of signing new players because we have plenty of players in the squad looking for a chance.

"Leon will get the chance to show why I signed him from Wingate & Finchley. I would not have signed him if I didn't think he was going to play a part for us.

"Tom Beere will get another game under his belt and players like Eddie Hutchinson, Charlie Moone, Dan Thompson and Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick will get to start.

"Charlie will fancy he is the man to score the goals that will get us promoted, but he needs to perform, "If they want to start in the league then they have to perform in this game it is as simple as that."

Hampton have back-to-back home games coming up with Needham Market visiting at the weekend and VCD Athletic arriving at the Beveree the following Tuesday.

Bognor Regis Town, who are through to the FA Trophy fourth round proper, remain a hidden threat to Hampton's title ambitions as they still have a whopping 17 league games still to play.

And Dowson admitted his men must make up for the stalemate at Hendon to keep their title bid on track.

"We were not at our best at the weekend so we have two homes games coming up that we have to win," added the Beveree chief.

"Bognor will not win every game. They have still got to play Kingstonian so something is going to have to give.

"We have played Dulwich Hamlet, East Thurrock United, Tonbridge Angels and Bognor twice already so we have nothing to worry about on that front.

"We just have to keep winning and keep plugging away."