Wroxham boss Damian Hilton is confident of coming home with at least a point when he takes a depleted squad to Needham Market today as the chase hots up for top spot in the Ridgeons Premier Division.

Wroxham boss Damian Hilton is confident of coming home with at least a point when he takes a depleted squad to Needham Market today as the chase hots up for top spot in the Ridgeons Premier Division.

It's second against third at Bloomfields, but Hilton will be without a number of key players. Leading goalscorer Lee Gilman, who suffered a thigh injury in the 3-1 win over CRC on Tuesday night, is out, along with winger Gary Gilmore, who has damaged ribs, and Justin Fox (groin).

Defender Josh Carus and midfielder Danny White are suspended, Ben Thompson is on duty with employers Norwich City and utility man Ben Carver is on holiday.

However, after seeing Wroxham go second in the table, Hilton believes his men are capable of gaining at least a point at Needham - who are two points behind - despite warnings on the home website that the Suffolk side are out to avenge their 2-0 Trafford Park defeat at the end of September.

"To be honest we are not troubled by the scaremongers," said Hilton. "It is action on the field that counts. And although we are denied key players for various reasons we have sufficient strength in depth this season to believe we can absorb any Needham pressure, always providing we do not make fatal mistakes of getting involved in physical confrontation."

Wroxham are four points behind leaders Mildenhall, who need to pick themselves up after last week's 5-0 thrashing at Lowestoft when they entertain Ipswich Wanderers.

Kirkley are sixth, but 14 points off top spot and would need an almighty effort to trouble the top three. They are at Newmarket today, with player-coach Carl Chenery suspended and midfielders Rob Horton and Ricci Butler still injured. Wayne Twomlow, out of first team action for four years, looks set to retain his place in a squad that needs only one point to equal last season's tally of 51 points.

Neighbours Lowestoft travel to Woodbridge, knowing they have enough games in hand to make an impression and boss Micky Chapman says the pressure is on the teams at the top.

"The pressure is not on us - the pressure is on Mildenhall and Wroxham to maintain their key positions at the top and stay there," he said.

"Every game is a cup final for us - we need to win every game to keep the heat on the teams above us."

Dereham are at home to Soham, Wisbech are at Diss and Norwich United travel to Histon Reserves.

Dereham boss Robert Taylor was pleased with the way his young side battled back for a point last week at Ipswich Wanderers.

Striker Paul Atkins has turned down a move to King's Lynn and is added to the squad following injury, along with defender Danny Self who has also recovered from injury.