Oxford City player-boss Justin Merritt says his side must stand up and be counted as they look to reach the Division 1 South & West play-off final at the expense of Didcot Town in tonight's eagerly-awaited derby showdown.

The pair go head-to-head at Didcot's Loop Meadow Stadium in the semi-final, with the winners facing either Fleet Town or Uxbridge in the final on Saturday.

The advantage is with the Railwaymen, who have yet to lose to Merritt's side, though Didcot have struggled at home in the league.

Merritt said the players would have to be at the top of their game to beat Stuart Peace's side.

"I'm looking for a good performance from us," said Merritt, who is in his first season in management.

"We have got a good mixture of younger and experienced players.

"We have players like Jon Gardner and George Redknap who won the play-offs with Banbury, while Steve Smith and Errol Telemaque have also won the play-offs with Hemel Hempstead and Yeading respectively."

Merritt was unfazed by Saturday's defeat at Marlow.

"On Saturday, we rested some players. I'm not going to read anything into it," he said.

"We were hoping we would meet Didcot in the final.

"You can't look at any form tables as an indication - it's a one-off job.

"They have got some good players all over the pitch. They have a strong midfield and strength in wide areas. I don't think there is a lot of difference between the two sides. They have the slight edge.

"But we have to forget all about that now. Our players have got to stand up and be counted. There can be no hiding place for anyone."

City will be without Josias Carbon (knee injury).

Didcot have experience in the shape of former Oxford United star Paul Powell, who helped Didcot beat AFC Sudbury 3-2 to lift the FA Vase in 2005.

Ex-Didcot defender Andy Gunn faces his old pals, while Richard Peirson used to play for Oxford City.

Peace says tonight's encounter, which is expected to pull in a 500-plus crowd, is their biggest game since that victory.

And he is relishing the chance to pit his wits against Merritt and assistant manager Mike Ford, who used to play for Didcot.

"I have been involved with some big games since I came to the club," said Peace, whose side secured home advantage after a battling 2-1 victory at Burnham on Saturday.

"In terms of importance, if we win, then we are one step away from the Premier Division.

"I wouldn't want to take the Vase win away, which was big in terms of the national coverage we got, but it's clearly bigger than when we won the Hellenic League."

Peace added: "They are very hard-working. But if we play to the level I know we can, we have a great opportunity to get to the Premier Division.

"They should not need winding up."

Defender Jamie Heapy, who has been Didcot skipper for four seasons, added: "All the boys are fired-up.

"I don't get nervous - it's more excitement than anything else.

"It's a real bonus that we are at home. There should be a big crowd - we're really looking forward to it.

"Both teams have got good defensive records, so I think it will be a close game."

Didcot have a doubt over defender Andy Williams, who is having intensive treatment on a back injury.

TONIGHT'S SQUADS Didcot Tn: from Watkins, Heapy, Williams, Peirson, Davis, Bicknell, Jack, Witt, Hope, Mulvany, King, Parrott, Powell, Vine, Odhiambo, Rusher, Hopkins, Lewis, Thomas.

Oxford City: from Smith, Saulsbury, Davis, Woodruffe, Alleyne, Gunn, Avery, Pond, Malone, Redknap, Bell, Gardner, Telemaque, Lyon, Romeo, Stewart, Falconbridge, Merritt.