Lowestoft Town joint boss Micky Chapman insists the Blues are still capable of making the play-offs and rubbished talk the club has lost some of its ambition.

The Trawlerboys head to Billericay this evening (kick-off 7.45pm) in the Ryman League Premier Division, seven points adrift of the play-offs, despite their 1-0 win at Carshalton on Saturday.

But, just days after a new boardroom committee was formed at the club to help establish a more sustainable business model, Chapman believes his side can close the gap on the top five and stage a late run for the play-offs.

'We will just keep putting points on the board,' he said. 'A lot of the top teams are still dropping points each week and we knew it was important at Carshalton to hit the ground running after a few weeks out. We are still in a decent position and we still fancy our chances of being up there come the end of the season.'

It has been a season of transition at Crown Meadow, off the field as well as on it, but Chapman insists his squad haven't been affected by rumours the club was about to reduce its budget.

'There has been a lot going on behind the scenes and there has been a lot of rubbish said by people who aren't part of the football club,' he said. 'The truth is we are as ambitious as ever and things are being put in place for the club to progress.

'We've just had to work hard and keep our minds on the job. We couldn't worry about what was going on off the field because we trust the people to get it right. Gary (Keyzor) has been brilliant for this football club. He and the club as a whole are still as ambitious as ever and anyone who says otherwise doesn't know what they're talking about.'

One of the bright spots of the season so far has been the form of Jake Reed, who was signed after being released by Dagenham & Redbridge in October.

His winner at Carshalton was his 12th of the season and Chapman admitted his influence on the side is growing with each game.

'Jake has been fantastic and he has led the line so well for us,' he said. 'He is a natural goalscorer and always pops up where we want him to be.'

Curtis Haynes-Brown came through the weekend showing no ill-effects from a long-standing knee injury although Adam Smith (knee) is a doubt for this evening.