Lowestoft Town joint boss Ady Gallagher has urged a section of the club's fans to cut out the negativity ahead of their trip to AFC Hornchurch this afternoon.

The Blues have bounced back from defeat on the opening day of the season to take seven points out of the last nine with the Trawlerboys impressively holding on for a draw at Canvey Island in midweek despite playing the second half with 10 men. However, that hasn't stopped some fans calling into question whether the Blues will be able to mount another promotion challenge this campaign. Gallagher believes these supporters need to revise their expectations.

'You can't argue with three clean sheets in a row,' he said.

'What is frustrating is that there is still an air of negativity around some supporters. I just don't understand where they get it from. If we had the start Grays have had (12 points from four games) it would almost be expected of us. I'm just thankful to the supporters that have been with us on this journey and understand how far we have come in a short space of time.

'I think the invention of Championship Manager has created a lot of top managers out there. People who have taken Wigan to the Champions League. A lot of these people have never kicked a ball in their life! We will continue to try and push the boundaries of what we can do – seven points from four games is not a bad start at all.'

Gallagher expects Chris Henderson to repay the debt he owes to his team-mates this afternoon after his sending off put the Blues firmly on the back foot at Canvey. Gallagher admitted the former Bury man could have no complaint about his dismissal and should be thankful his indiscretion didn't cost Lowestoft their second defeat of the campaign.

'There was no defending his actions really – he just lost his head,' he said. 'You can't react the way he did and he knows that. He knows he let his team-mates and the supporters down but it was completely out of character for him.

'He apologised to everyone afterwards and it's forgotten about now. He has won us a lot of games in the past and that's what he knows he's got to get back to. I think we will see a good reaction from him.'

Lowestoft picked up another injury on Tuesday with Greg Crane expected to be out for several weeks after pulling a thigh muscle. Curtley Williams (knee) and Curtis Haynes-Brown (Achilles) are also struggling although Dan Gleeson should be fit after shrugging off a hip problem.

Gallagher is expecting a tough test at Bridge Avenue, the venue of the Blues' second play-off final defeat in 2012.

'We've got absolutely no fear going there with the team that we've got,' he said. 'The play-off finals are forgotten about when you get on the pitch. We know it will be a tough game because they are a good side but we've got a good record away from home over the last couple of seasons.'