Lowestoft boss confident of promotion push despite Bognor postponement

Lowestoft Town director of football Craig Fleming remains confident his side will be vying for promotion at the end of the season.

The Blues enjoyed a very festive Christmas, taking maximum points from their three games to catapult them to sixth place, just outside the play-off positions.

The Trawlerboys won't be able to add to their haul this afternoon, with their scheduled fixture at Bognor Regis Town having been called off last night because of a waterlogged pitch.

But Fleming believes his side have the experience to mount another promotion push once their campaign resumes, hopefully at Billericay on Tuesday evening.

'I think we'll be up there,' he said.

'It's as strong a league as we've been in since we've come up to the Premier, which bodes well for us at the moment because everyone is beating everyone.

'Wealdstone look strong at the moment but they've got to play a lot of teams at the top. Week in, week out the top teams are beating the top teams and it's giving us a chance to hopefully catch them up.'

Lowestoft are nine points off leaders, Wealdstone, who have played a game less, and it may be the Blues have to negotiate the play-offs if they are to finally realise their Conference ambitions.

That thought is enough to strike fear into any Blues fan after three successive defeats in play-off finals but, with just under half a season to go, there is still plenty to play for.

'There's still a long way to go and if you look at last season two of the teams that made the play-offs, Concord and East Thurrock, made a late run and you can see that happening again,' said the former Norwich City defender. 'There are a still a heck of a lot of points to play for.'

Lowestoft are still feeling the effects of an injury crisis with several key players sidelined. However, Andrew Fisk is now available again after recovering from the ankle injury he suffered at Thamesmead.

Top goalscorer Jake Reed, who turned his ankle after scoring the winning goal against Leiston on Boxing Day, would have been doubtful today - but should have a decent chance of being ready for Tuesday evening's game.

Fleming's men have proved they can cope with these losses in recent weeks as long as their approach to every game remains professional.

'Technically we've got it but at times we don't go into games with the same kind of mental approach,' added Fleming. 'Once we get that we're a match for anybody. We've played the top sides in the league and we've played very well against them.'