Former Bristol Rovers winger Ali Gibb is being backed to play a major role in Bath City's promotion push.

The right-sided player joined the Romans in the summer but broke an ankle in pre-season and only made his debut in last Saturday's 2-2 draw at Hayes and Yeading.

On as a substitute, Gibb set up Bath's late equaliser. The veteran probably won't start tomorrow's home game with St Albans City but manager Adie Britton is sure greater involvement will come soon.

"Ali is getting closer all the time," he said. "He's not too far away. In training he looks pretty sharp now and he is going to play more and more.

"He's got something a little bit different with his quality of crossing. It's great to see him pushing on now."

Britton was relieved to escape from a bogey ground with a point that kept his side in the play-off hunt.

"You target certain games and as far as we were concerned that was the most difficult game we had left," said Britton. "AFC Wimbledon and Chelmsford are right up there at the top but somehow we don't feel the same way about going to those places. Eastleigh away, who we have got on Tuesday, is another tough game but having said that the bread and butter games like at home to St Albans on Saturday are games we have to win.

"We have proved conclusively that we are as good as any side in the league away from home but the home form needs to improve.

"Thirteen out of our last 20 games are at home but the problem with Twerton is that the pitch can be difficult because with the best will in the world there hasn't been the most grass on it.

"It can be hard and bobbly and if that's the case it makes passing football difficult."

Britton is optimistic defenders Gethin Jones and Matt Coupe will overcome groin and hamstring problems to play but midfielder Mark Badman completes a two-match ban.

Goalkeeper Paul Evans is 10 to 14 days away from full fitness after knee surgery so Steve Perrin continues to stand in.

Team Bath head coach Andy Tillson is delighted that winger Takumi Ake is now delivering the end product to go with his impressive skills.

The Japanese wide man scored the Scholars' equaliser in Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Welling United – his second goal in three games.

Tillson said: "When he first came to us he was all about dribbling but we have been on to him to mix his game up and it is good that he now knows when to pass and when to cross and supply the end product.

"He has got good feet and he can beat people with his touch and skill and hopefully he can carry that on now.

"He has been doing particularly well for us recently and had a cracking game at Welling, along with a few others.

"We have only got one point from the last two games (Team Bath lost 2-0 at home to Hampton and Richmond on Saturday) but I have been happy with the performances.

"We don't set any targets because the lads have done excellent so far. We just want to push on and do the best we can."

Weston-super-Mare's first victory – at Thurrock – since Andy Gurney was appointed as caretaker manager has relieved the pressure on the former Bristol Rovers and Swindon Town player.

"It was a great result but, surprisingly, it was probably the worst performance we have given since I took over, although the lads worked hard to get a result," said Gurney.

"New signings Adie Harris and Manny Williams both did well and gave the performance that I brought them in to do. We now need to build on that result in tomorrow's home game against Fisher Athletic."

Gurney added: "It will not be an easy game as Fisher, who will fight hard for something from the game as they are in desperately in need of points."

Defender Sam Prinello has had his loan spell from Bristol Rovers extended for another month, while midfielder Adie Harris will not play in the Severnside derby against his former club Newport County on January 28 following an agreement between Newport boss Dean Holdsworth and Gurney.

There is a doubt over midfielder Mark McKeever for tomorrow's game as he faces a late fitness test on the ankle injury he suffered against Thurrock.