Lowestoft Town joint boss Ady Gallagher has called on his men to consolidate their position in the play-offs after Tooting & Mitcham held his side to a goalless draw at Crown Meadow on Saturday.

Five games without a win has seen the Blues' title hopes all but extinguished, although Gallagher insists the club can still finish the season on a high.

'Realistically I don't think there's any chance of winning the league now,' he said.

'I think it's down to the top teams to throw it away, but I think anyone connected with the club would have said 'if Lowestoft get a play-off position this season then they would have done really well'.

'The fact that we had such a great start and our form has dipped a bit is frustrating and that builds a bit of pressure, but we have got to look after ourselves.

'If we finish in a play-off position then I think we've had a fantastic season and I've got every confidence that we can finish this season on a very high note.'

The Blues got off to a blistering start against Tooting with Michael Frew looking particularly threatening up front. But a combination of visiting goalkeeper Jamie Butler and the woodwork kept the former Corby man at bay.

Tooting weathered the early storm, however, and only a great save from Andy Reynolds prevented striker Jason Henry from opening the scoring while Reece Hall was unlucky to see a volley come back off a post before the break.

Lowestoft looked the more threatening in the second period but had to wait until time added on before carving out the best chance of the game.

A great ball out to the left flank by Russell Stock found Matt Nolan, whose inch-perfect cross found Jamie Forshaw free inside the penalty area. But his downward header was brilliantly kept out by Butler once again.

Gallagher attached no blame on Forshaw for not taking his opportunity, admitting the striker could not have done any more.

'Matty Nolan has done fantastically to keep the ball in play and turn the ball back. Jamie is eight yards out with the header and he has done everything right – he has headed it downwards, on target, but the save was world class in my opinion.

'That's just the way it is going for us at the minute. Every team has a blip in the season, and we've had ours.

'Every team also has a bit of a purple patch and I don't think we've really had ours yet. Hopefully we can build on today.'

Lowestoft are back in Ryman League Premier action this evening when they travel to Aveley, who need maxium points to stave off the threat of relegation.

Lowestoft have no new injury worries but Gallagher is pleased to welcome back Scott Mitchell after suspension.

'Mitch's return will be a big boost for us, but it's going to be another tough game – they're in a position where they have got nothing to lose.

'We're going to have to have a look at the legs of some players because it's such a quick turnaround.

'We've had a tough game today and we're going to have to weigh up who is 100 pc. We've got an excellent squad to choose from, and whatever team we put out will be capable of getting the three points.'