King's Lynn Town have a day off on Saturday, but begin their New Year with a genuine contender for the league's biggest match of the season.

The Linnets head to Latimer Park, home of Kettering Town in a battle between the top two sides in the division (3pm kick-off).

With just one automatic promotion spot up for grabs the race for top spot is already warming up nicely.

Kettering are just a point behind after Lynn dropped valuable home points in a Boxing Day draw with St Ives.

The Poppies, meanwhile, returned to form after suffering their first home league defeat at the hands of Hereford with a 6-0 drubbing of struggling Dunstable Town a week ago and followed it up with a 4-2 win at St Neots Town on Tuesday.

Kettering boss Marcus Law believes an 'exciting afternoon' is in store – but knows there is a bigger picture as he looks to better the December tally of 14 points from a possible 21.

If they can do that, Law believes Kettering will be well on the way to securing at least a play-off place.

'If we can have another month like that then I think it will go a long way towards securing a play-off place,' he told the Northants Telegraph.

'The aim, as it always is, will be to try to gain maximum points from the month.

'If we can get somewhere close to that then I think we will be looking good for a top-five finish and then, further to that, being in contention for the title.

'Hereford and Slough have a lot of games to play in January and by the end of the month, they will have nearly caught up so the league table will have a much clearer look to it. From our point of view, we just have to keep going.

'King's Lynn have one of the best away records in the league in terms of points they have gained and we have one of the best home records so it is set up perfectly.

'Hopefully it will be a big crowd, hopefully the weather is kind and if it all comes together then it should be a very exciting afternoon.'

It will be the first time Lynn and Kettering have met this season – the return at The Walks is scheduled for April 2, by which time the picture may possibly be a little bit clearer.