Bishop’s Cleeve have been thrown a promotion lifeline and manager Paul Collicutt is urging his players to make the most of their unexpected opportunity.

They make the short trip to Malvern Town for a Southern League Division One South play-off semi-final tomorrow (7.45pm) and Collicutt wants to grab the chance presented to them with both hands.

Three days ago they thought their season was over after finishing sixth, one point and one place outside the play-offs.

But the decision by the FA to relegate second-placed Portishead Town to the Western League - their ground isn’t deemed good enough for Step 3 or Step 4 football - has catapulted Bishop’s Cleeve back into the hunt for a place in Premier Division South next season.

Collicutt had his players in for training last night and he said: “Look, we’ve had a bit of luck, let’s make the most of it.

“We’re playing a team in form, we’re not expected to come away with anything but let’s give it everything we’ve got.”

Malvern who finished the season in third spot, behind Portishead on goal difference, have won 10 of their last 11 league games.

They beat Cleeve in the play-off semi-finals last season, winning 3-2 at Kayte Lane after extra-time, but Cleeve won 2-1 at Malvern at the end of September thanks to a 95^th-minute goal by Jay Malshanskyj.

Malvern won the return game 3-1 in January but Collicutt is in upbeat mood.

“We can beat them at their place again, of course we can,” he said. “It’s a local derby and there will be a big crowd.”

Cleeve, who will include former Malvern striker Jack Watts in their squad tomorrow, ended their regular league campaign with a 3-1 win at Bideford on Saturday and Collicutt continued: “It was one of our best performances of the season.

“We created a lot more chances than we have been doing, their goalkeeper played well.”

Portishead finished the season 17 points clear of Cleeve and Collicutt admitted he did have some sympathy for them.

“I feel for the players and the management team,” he said. “They finished second and deservedly so. They've just beaten the champions Frome and Malvern in successive games.

“They are a good side, they’ve got good players, but while it’s unfortunate for them it’s fortunate for us.”

Should Cleeve overcome Malvern they will play the winners of the other play-off semi-final between Winchester City and Shaftesbury on Monday.