BOURNEMOUTH boss Will Croker has urged his side to dispel myths over their away form with victory over National Three South West leaders Barnstaple.

Lions have won just two of their past six away fixtures and Croker is keen to turn that run round in North Devon against a team that lost 23-7 at Chapel Gate in November.

Croker told the Daily Echo: “The players really don’t have anything to feel pressured about. No one is expecting us to go there and turn them over.

“We’ve got this reputation as a side that is good at home but struggles on the road so it’s a case of going there and trying to dispel some myths.

“We will try and put a performance together and see what we have at the end of the game.”

Croker added: “I think Barnstaple is probably one of the toughest tests at National Three level. They are a good team with a lot to go for.

“They have always been a very aspirational club and this season they have strung a run of performances together and got right into contention.

“I think that whatever happens on Saturday, they will end the season in the top two.

“I’m still very confident because we have trained very well this week and are starting to find a bit of a settled side.

“We did very well when we played them at our place. We beat them in terms of physicality and intensity, we throttled the life out of them and we have to do the same thing if we want to have a good day on Saturday.

“We have to get into their faces early and show we are up for a battle.”

Ben Allman and John Peart are still out with knee problems, while Duncan Soden is fit again following his knee injury but is unavailable.

Luca Firetto, who has been involved in the vast majority of Lions fixtures this season, has work commitments.

Dave McDonald takes his place among the replacements having recovered from a shoulder injury.

Lions: Sutherland, Chandler, Hancox, Chislett, Roberts, Gwyther, Hardcastle, Giunta, Fraser, Tarrant, Christopher, Treloar, Manning, Rees, Hennings. Replacements: Levey, McDonald, Veneroso.