Lowestoft joint boss Ady Gallagher insists the Blues will relish facing high-profile Hendon in tonight's Ryman Premier Division clash at Crown Meadow. (7.45pm)

Hendon have drafted in former Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair and ex-Ipswich midfielder Darren Currie to bolster the Greens' own promotion push. Former Arsenal frontman Isaiah Rankin was the match winner in Hendon's weekend home win against Canvey Island which moved them within two points of third-placed Lowestoft.

The Blues won last season's corresponding fixture 8-1 – but Gallagher expects a much stiffer task this time around.

'Those type of players obviously bring a lot of higher league experience,' he said. 'They had an excellent run in the FA Cup as well so we are under no illusions how difficult this one is going to be.

'You don't expect any easy games at our level and this is certainly another one when we will have to be right at it or we can get caught out. What happened before was six months ago.

'They have brought in different players since then, but what it might do is motivate them a little bit to put the record straight. We played very well on that day and took our chances.

'I remember it was around that time we had been threatening to maybe do that to someone because we had been playing very well without the goals to show for it. You could say we are in a similar vein of form now as well.'

Lowestoft ground out a 1-0 win at Aveley to maintain their promotion bid with Scott Mitchell slotting a superb free kick midway through the first period.

'You can't always play pretty football,' said Gallagher. 'It could have been more goals but it was important to go away from home against a tough team on a difficult pitch and get the three points, plus the clean sheet which was very pleasing from a defensive point of view. We've felt in the last two games we have created a lot of chances, which is important going into a little run of games against sides around us in the table in that top six area. We just have to be professional and stay focussed on the task ahead.'

Midfielder Andrew Fisk returns to the squad after suspension. Joe Francis was withdrawn in the first half at the weekend with flu but is expected to be in contention.