Renewing their rivalry with Boston United proves just how far Lowestoft Town have come, according to Ady Gallagher.

The Blues are getting ready for their third clash in a year against a Pilgrims side that can now, laughably, be considered their local rivals.

While the negatives of remaining in National League North are easy for all to see, Gallagher prefers to focus on the huge positives of his Suffolk club still plying their trade at the same level as sides like Boston.

Gallagher said: 'Ten years ago they were in the Football League and we were in the Eastern Counties (Thurlow Nunn) League.

'If you look at it on that margin, it shows the gains we've made. Since then we've been to Wembley, had several promotions and now we're playing Boston United at Christmas for the second year running.

'It is crazy that it's our local derby but that's what we've been left with. They're a yardstick to measure ourselves against and they're one of many, many good sides with great history and tradition that we're competing against. We should never escape the realisation of that fact.'

A year ago, the Blues lost 5-3 at Boston before drawing the return 1-1. Once again it is the Pilgrims who are flying high in the table going into today's festive fixture.

'We know it'll be tough as we are aware we are playing against a great team that are in great form,' added Gallagher, who saw the Blues' six-game unbeaten run ended at AFC Telford United on Saturday.

'We've been fighting so hard ourselves though and we've shown some decent form so we will be looking to try and get something from the game, as we do every match.'

Adam Smith, Danny Crow, Harvey Hodd and Ryan Jarvis are all injury concerns for Lowestoft, who will definitely be without Joe Marsden.