That's the message from Cobblers boss Ian Sampson as he prepares his side for tonight's Coca-Cola League Two showdown with Hereford United at Sixfields.

Sampson is beginning to tire of his side turning in good performances for minimal rewards, with the last four league games seeing his side claim just two points from home draws with Grimsby Town and Crewe Alexandra.

Those stalemates were sandwiched inbetween narrow defeats at Torquay United and Aldershot, both matches where nobody could have grumbled if the Cobblers had claimed maximum points.

But the facts state Town have dropped 10 points out of the last 12 available to them, they are 18th in the league two table, and they need to get their act together pretty sharpish.

"We need to start picking some points up now," admitted Sampson.

"It was disappointing that we didn't get the points we felt we deserved against Aldershot, but that's football and I would settle for a poor performance and three points tonight."

The Cobblers are still six points above the relegation zone and eight points below the play-offs, and that seems to have been the position they have been in for months.

The frustrating thing is that if Town can just piece together a run of three or four wins, they would race up the table, but that is easier said than done.

"We are a bit static, and I suppose it's because it is quite a tight league all the way through," said Sampson.

"But we need to get three points, and this game is an ideal opportunity with us being at home and we are looking forward to the game.

"The important thing is starting a run, and then trying to move up the table.

"Our aim at the moment is to try and get into the top half, and we're not looking beyond that."

Sampson will hand a debut to on-loan defender Danny Swailes tonight, while John Johnson is also available again after recovering from a hamstring strain.

But there will be no appearance from either former Hereford man Dean Beckwith or Courtney Herbert. The pair are back in training this week, but won't be involved tonight.

One Hereford player who will be keen to impress will be striker Leon Constantine, who endured a nightmare season in Cobblers colours last term.

The former Leeds and Southend man scored just three times in 26 starts in the claret and white, a number he has already bettered at Edgar Street, where he is the Bulls' second top scorer with four goals from 12 starts.

And Sampson said: "Leon will be out to prove a point against his old club, and we need to nullify him."

Town striker Steve Guinan also comes up against his former club.

Guinan scored 15 goals as the Bulls were relegated last term, and Sampson said: "If Steve plays he will be trying to put one over them, so hopefully he's up for the game."

Big-match preview – pages 30/31