It's first things first for Lowestoft joint boss Mickey Chapman today as the Blues aim to secure their place in the Ryman Premier play-offs with victory at Folkestone Invicta.

Three points would guarantee a top five spot for the Trawlerboys - if other results go their way a draw or even a defeat could also be enough. And while finishing second would ensure home advantage in the play-offs, Chapman just wants to make sure his side are in next week's semi-finals.

He said: 'The main aim is to get there. Yes , home advantage would be nice as we could expect a crowd of about 2,000 at Crown Meadow, but if we go away we will take a few hundred with us for a game of that size. Home or away, I'll just be happy to be in the play-offs - but yes, of course it would be an advantage to be at home.'

Folkestone have already been relegated having won just five games this term and were beaten heavily at Crown Meadow in September, when goals from Danny Bloomfield (2), Lee McGlone and an own goal secured a 4-1 win for Lowestoft.

But Chapman insists they will be no pushover this afternoon. He said: 'When you're playing the bottom side who have already been relegated, people say it's going to be easy, but I've been around long enough to know that they have nothing to lose and they can relax.

'They have some good players who can hurt us, like all sides do at this level, but if we stay fully focused, put in the right effort and do the right things, it will come together and we'll come away with the right result.'

He added: 'We're certainly not over-confident. Our approach is like any other game - we always go into it to win. It is a cup final for us and we know what we've got to do.'

The team finishing second will be at home to the side in fifth in the play-offs, while third hosts fourth in the other midweek semi-final. The final - with whichever team finishes higher in the league at home - then takes place next weekend.

Lowestoft have an almost clean bill of health for today's match, with only Michael Frew (ankle) ruled out. Greg Crane and Adam Smith both return from two-match suspensions.