King's Lynn boss Gary Setchell wants his men to underline they are a club on the up against former non-league heavyweights Northwich Victoria in today's latest Evo-Stik Division One South test at The Walks (3pm).

Setchell believes the second-placed Linnets continue to exceed expectations following their elevation to step four, but the Lynn chief knows improving Northwich pose a serious threat to their current unbeaten run.

'They are a massive club. I made my debut for Rushden against them and it is only three or four years ago they were playing Charlton live on television,' he said. 'I don't know what has gone on there with the club itself, but last year they were only a point from promotion to the Conference set-up. Then they got demoted but they are a huge club with loads of history.

'It is nice for us after being in the UCL for two years to be associated with those type of clubs. They have a wealth of experience there with the likes of Andy Mutch and Jon Macken. You can see from the attendances and them playing at Stafford it must be difficult.

'That was reflected in their early results but recently they have put it together and I fully expect them to be play-off contenders, if not even a little bit more than that. We know we have to reproduce the Coalville, Chasetown and Barwell home performances.'

Setchell accepts Lynn's early season form has put them in that promotion bracket, but the Linnets' chief prefers to dampen down rising expectations.

'I made some big decisions in the summer with letting players go and I decided to bring in other step five players,' he said. 'We lost to Wisbech and drew at Yaxley and that suited me down to the ground. People were writing us off, we were relegation fodder and I was happy to play up to that. All of sudden we get a little bit of a start, beat Coalville and Barwell in the FA Trophy and then drawing 2-2 at Rainworth is seen as dropping points.

'If someone offered me fifth right now, I would take it. Of course if I can keep my best players fit then we have a chance of winning it, but so do about six or seven other clubs. What I do know is we have a great set of lads and they are working so hard.'

Lynn's relative success has proved a double-edged sword with the likes of talented defender Jordan Yong attracting serious attention from higher league duo St Neots and Lowestoft. Setchell was delighted the former Wisbech youngster opted to pledge his immediate future to the club following further talks last night with the Linnets' boss.

'He is only 22 years old and he is playing well enough to eventually maybe get a move to a Conference club,' said Setchell. 'He has been top drawer for us. I had him at Wisbech when he was 17 for two years. He is a great lad, no trouble.'

• Club officials have again offered fans who attend today's game a �2 discount for the next home league fixture against Gresley on Tuesday at The Walks.