PONTYPOOL will need to discover their cutting edge if they are to ease their relegation fears with victory against Aberavon tomorrow afternoon.

Pooler head into the game on the back of a midweek defeat to Cardiff at the Arms Park that didn’t even yield a losing bonus point, yet it could have so different.

They enjoyed plenty of quality ball in a dominant first-half display yet they failed to get past a determined Blue and Blacks defence.

Assistant coach Shaun Connor believes they cannot afford to be so lax against the fifth-placed Wizards.

"We were pretty disappointed after the game and we had more than enough ball to win it in the first half," he said.

"We just weren’t clinical enough but hopefully that was down to rustiness (after a raft of postponements) because the first 40 minutes was as good as we have played for some time.

"The pack was superb and it was just a shame that we didn’t do enough with the ball that they won us.

"There is no doubt that we have to be more clinical and creative behind because Aberavon are a top side.

"They have quality throughout their team and that was shown by the way that they won at Bedwas. We all know how tough it is to win there."

Pooler still have a healthy lead and games in hand on bottom club Glamorgan Wanderers and it would be remarkable if the Ely-based side reeled them in.

Connor, however, has stressed that they are not taking Premiership safety for granted.

"At the moment we are in the relegation fight," he said. "We had a good start but have gone off the boil a bit.

"It is up to us to get our form back and make it to safety as soon as possible."

Pooler will again benefit from the presence of Dragons duo Martyn Thomas and Joe Bearman.

The full-back and back row forward will repeat their midweek task of coming off the bench as they build up fitness on their return from long-term injury.

"They have both been great," said Connor. "Their attitude has been superb and they have really given the rest of the squad a lift."