HUW GRIFFITHS believes a draw is no good for either side as Cefn Druids make their way to Aberystwyth Town on Friday.

Druids face a festive double-header with The New Saints before tackling second placed Barry Town United and Newtown, who are fourth, after tonight’s fixture, while Aberystwyth are just a point ahead of Caernarfon in the race for a top-six finish.

That means the stakes are high for both teams when the whistle blows at Park Avenue, according to Druids boss Griffiths.

“I don’t think a draw helps either of us,” said Griffiths. “Yes, a point for us could move us further clear of the bottom two, but this is probably easier on paper than the other games we have coming up between now and the split and we have to play to win.

“A point could also help Aberystwyth in their top-six challenge, but they surely have to win the game. They have to be beating the likes of Cefn Druids.

“The three points are important to both teams.”

Druids have been boosted by the absence of Aberystwyth talisman Declan Walker, who was sent-off for two quickfire bookings in last week’s 4-0 thumping at the hands of Caernarfon.

Walker, who was nominated for the November player of the month award, is Aberystwyth’s top scorer this season with six goals.

On the former Wrexham youngster, Griffiths said: “He’s allowed to express himself and perhaps us coaches don’t always let that happen.

“Within the structure of Aberystwyth’s style Declan is allowed to play like a free spirit and he’s producing the goods.

“It must be great to be an Aberystwyth fan at the moment because there is that “we’ll score more than you” approach.”

The goals didn’t flow when the two teams met earlier in the season at The Rock as James Davies handed Druids a 1-0 victory.

Griffiths, who is set to raid the January sales for “anybody better than what we’ve got” added: “We beat them at home and they’ll be eager to put that right.”

In the meantime, striker Jonny Taylor is set to give the Ancients a boost by returning to full fitness in the coming weeks, although Alun Morris remains a doubt with the hamstring injury that forced him to miss the 2-1 defeat to Connah’s Quay Nomads last weekend.

Aberystwyth boss Neville Powell denied that his side had been the victim of the manager of the month award curse.

Powell won the top boss award for November in the build up to the defeat to Caernarfon, but the former Connah’s Quay and Bangor City manager said: “It’s nice to get the manager of the month award.

“They say about the curse of the award, but I don’t see it like that.

“We’ve been on the end of some bad decisions and we’ve paid for it.

“Until Declan got sent-off I thought it was a great game and it spoilt things a bit, but that’s football.”

And Powell is looking to bounce back with a positive result against Druids with a place in the top-six firmly within reach.

He added: “We won’t dwell on it, we will put it to bed and move on knowing we are still in a great position for the top six.”