Blues will battle to get over the line

Lowestoft Town joint boss Ady Gallagher says his players are fully prepared to roll up their sleeves and battle their way to the league title.

The Blues' never-say-die spirit helped them pick up another valuable point at Potters Bar Town on Tuesday as substitute Gary McGee struck an equaliser two minutes from time in their ninth game in 21 days.

Town now top Ryman League Division One North by five points from Concord Rangers, with two games still in hand.

And with eight games remaining, Gallagher admitted things might not always be pretty as the Blues battle towards a second consecutive league crown and promotion.

"At this stage of the season it's about chipping away at games and this is our ninth game in 21 days and there's only two defeats in that time and I think that's an excellent run of results at this stage of the season," said Gallagher after the game in Hertfordshire. "We've had to work extremely hard. That was the third of five away games, and out of the nine we've played seven away from home which as I've said before is a monumental effort.

"I think the boys keep delivering and trying to keep a high standard of football. It's not always going to be pretty, but as long as you're prepared to battle it out you're going to get something. I just think we got what we deserved and points like that win you leagues."

The road trips continue for the Blues tomorrow as they head to Ilford Then it is Brentwood away on Tuesday.

Both teams are in the bottom half of the table, but both have beaten the Blues at Crown Meadow this season.

Gallagher is expecting them to go all out in an effort to complete the double over the champions-elect.

"We played Ilford in the third game of the season at our place and they beat us and they enjoyed their victory and the same for Brentwood," Gallagher said. "Against both teams we felt we deserved to get something out of the game, but you don't always get what you deserve in football. I'm sure both these teams are going to be right up for playing against us when we get there.

"They're both good sides who are going to work extremely hard against us. We're going away from home, again, and we know we're going into two extremely tough games.

"Obviously, we want to get points out of them just as much as they do.

"Ilford is going to be a tough game and we'll go there and hopefully put in another good, solid performance."

With an almost fully fit squad to choose from, Gallagher, Micky Chapman and Craig Fleming will have plenty of selection issues for the next two games.

And McGee and fellow sub Danny Bloomfield gave them plenty to think about on Tuesday.

McGee impressed in the final half hour, while Bloomfield was excellent in his ten-minute cameo at the end of the game as the Blues pressed for an equaliser. Indeed, Bloomfield was only denied by a wonder save from home keeper Matt Bennett before McGee struck and Gallagher was full of praise for the two subs.

"Bloomy's done fantastic," Gallagher said.

"If he'd scuffed his shot it would have gone in. But he's caught it clean and I'm not convinced the goalkeeper knew anything about it. Goals will flow for him. When he gets one or two they'll go in for him, we've got no doubt about that.

"I was chuffed for Gary McGee. He came on the pitch with half and hour to go and he was excellent. He made it stick, he won his headers, looked lively and it was a great finish."