EBBW Vale face their biggest game of the season when they attempt to get their challenge for the Principality Premiership playoffs back on track against Bridgend this evening (WED).

The Steelmen look sure to be playing beyond the end of the regular season at the turn of the year but are now in a five-way scrap for two spots behind runaway leaders Pontypridd.

They have lost to Cross Keys, Aberavon and Ponty in the league and to the men from Sardis Road in the Swalec Cup, losing four games on the spin for the first time since April, 2010.

Ebbw remain in second place but their advantage over third-placed Keys and fourth-placed Carmarthen Quins is now just two points while Cardiff and Bedwas are just six back.

That means they desperately need to get back to winning ways when they welcome the Ravens to Eugene Cross Park (kick-off 7.30pm).

"The pressure is on us," admitted captain Damien Hudd. "We are still in a great position but we need to improve on our recent performances.

"Our skill set has been poor, forwards and backs, and we have been getting turned over at the contact area. The simple things that we were doing well at the start of the season have been going wrong and that needs to change.

"We've got massive motivation because it's been a great achievement to put ourselves in this position but now we are here we don't want to let up and finish fourth or fifth.

"To get in the playoffs would be a massive payback for the supporters, who have been brilliant for us through the years out of the Premiership."

Bridgend may be in 11th place and in a tussle with Neath and Newport to avoid the ignominy of finishing bottom.

Ebbw won 27-20 when the sides met at the Brewery Field in November but Hudd is quick to stress that unlike last season, when they romped to the Swalec Championship title, there are no gimmes in the Premiership.

"Every game is tough in this league and Bridgend are the only team to have beaten Ponty, which is something we haven't managed in three attempts," said the lock.

Top half standings: Pontypridd 64 (16 games), Ebbw Vale 55 (17), Cross Keys 53 (17), Carmarthen Quins 53 (18), Cardiff 49 (17), Bedwas 49 (18)