Lowestoft Town boss Ady Gallagher insists his side are ready to banish the ghosts of last season and launch a successful Ryman League Premier campaign.

The Trawlerboys go to Bognor Regis Town this afternoon in their opening league game as the Blues take their first steps to bouncing back from National League North relegation last season.

Gallagher has managed to retain the bulk of his squad from last season, relying on the players who have been promoted from this level before.

'When we first came back we spoke to the lads and said what is in the past, is in the past,' said Gallagher. 'We are where we are and we need to take the experience of Conference football into this season.

'We know we had to work incredibly hard to get out of this division and we will need to do so again.

'We need to be mentally stronger than we were at times last season and get that winning mentality back that we had getting promoted.

'We need to start the season in a good mental state.'

Rory McAuley and Fraser Blake-Tracy have come in from Chelmsford and Dereham respectively and Gallagher is pleased with how they have settled.

'They've been great – I think they will prove to be two great captures for us this summer,' he said.

'They were both player of the year at their clubs last season and I'm sure they will be looking to continue that kind of form.

'We feel really good about things and there's a really good atmosphere around the camp. We know we've got a good squad of players but the proof of it will be in how we start the season.'

In the four seasons Lowestoft played in the Ryman League Premier they reached the play-off final on each occasion.

They will be looking to challenge for honours once again under Gallagher, who doesn't shy away from those expectations

'We retain the ambition that we've always had and we had previously in this league,' said Gallagher. 'We set very high standards at Lowestoft and that hasn't changed.

'Whoever is top over the 46 games will deserve promotion.'

Lowestoft have no injury worries ahead of their trip to Nyewood Lane although Shaun Bammant is suspended.