He is urging more supporters to turn up on Sunday afternoon when they face in-form Torquay United.

The midweek attendance of 1,124 against Grays Athletic was the lowest home crowd for a league game at Nene Park since May 1995 when just 908 people saw the visit of Dorchester Town in the Southern League Premier Division.

Diamonds boss Hill said: "We are trying ever so hard to fetch League football back to the club.

"We're all aware that before the days of Max Griggs digging deep into his pockets it took a few years to get out of the Conference.

"This is the time now where we're having a go. And we want people to turn out in large numbers. We need their support.

"Our fans can have a major part this season if they stay patient and stick with us between now and the end of the season. At home to Torquay on Sunday we need everybody here.

"Sometimes I know it's difficult when people can't come on Saturdays because of work commitments. It's also a hard situation with two home games on top of each other.

"But I would urge people to be here at 3pm and, hopefully, we can get another good result.

"Sunday is a big game where three points would get us around the top five again.

"I know there is a lot of pressure and expectation. At the moment we are not good enough. We are three points behind where we want to be.
"But we will be alright. We've got to keep going."

Diamonds striker Michael Rankine, meanwhile, has gone on a month's loan to AFC Bournemouth.

The Cherries currently lie in 23rd place in Coca Cola League Two on minus-eight points – having started the season with a 17-point deduction for failing to meet Football League insolvency rules.

Rankine came to Nene Park from Alfreton Town in June 2006 after impressing then Diamonds manager Paul Hart during a trial period.

He scored 14 goals last season but with the summer arrivals of Daryl Clare, Lee Phillips and Leon Knight, Rankine has found starting opportunities limited so far this term.