Lowestoft Town joint manager Micky Chapman insists there is still a long way to go in the title race ahead of Saturday's Ryman League Premier clash against Wingate & Finchley at home (kick-off 1pm).

Scott Mitchell's late strike gave Lowestoft all three points to see them move level on points at the summit with Billericay with two games in hand after their rivals lost out to Hornchurch on Tuesday.

But Chapman believes there is still a lot of work to do for his side over the festive period.

'There's a long way to go and we've always said that this league is a marathon, not a sprint,' said Chapman, whose side have lost just once in their last 13 games. 'We've got a lot of hard work ahead of us but it's a case of so far, so good.

'The Christmas period is always a crucial time – it's nice to be where we are but we've still got two tough games to come.'

Mitchell was the hero for the Blues against Suffolk rivals Bury in a fiery encounter which saw the visitors reduced to nine men.

Sam Reed gave Bury the lead in the first half but Lowestoft stormed back in the second period and got level through Dale Cockrill's penalty before Mitchell's stunner gave his side all three points.

'Mitch is such a good player wherever you put him on the field,' added Chapman.

'He started off in midfield but we had to move him to right back after Erkan (Okay) got injured but he manages to have an impact on the game wherever you put him.

'He is a quality player and it was a quality strike worthy of winning any game to be honest.'

The Blues management team are only too aware of the dangers posed by tomorrow's opponents after Lowestoft lost against them in only the second game of the season.

'It was disappointing on the day but that's what football is about,' he said. 'We all remember how they celebrated when they beat us – it was as if they had won the FA Cup but that's the reputation we've got now and we have to live with it.

'We know Wingate are capable – they have had some good results and some not so good results.

'But we're always confident that if we're at it then we'll be okay.'