Lowestoft Town will be able to hold their nerve in their battle to avoid National League North relegation, insists manager Ady Gallagher.

The Trawlerboys gave their hopes of survival a huge boost last weekend with a 1-0 win against Gainsborough Trinity to take them out of the bottom three.

Jake Reed's missed penalty in the second half made the last half-hour more difficult than it needed to be but Gallagher, inset, was delighted at the way his side held their nerve.

'Our game management was excellent – we showed a lot of composure to see the game out and we are going to need that in the run-in,' said Gallagher.

'We weren't able to make the game safe with the second goal and because of that we made it hard for ourselves.

'The nerves as you get towards the end of a game like that are tangible but it didn't seem to affect the players. We dealt with it really well to get the win.

'The lads played with a great deal of confidence in the last 20 minutes.'

Lowestoft followed up their win in the league by beating Bury 3-2 after extra time in the semi-final of the Suffolk Premier Cup.

Gallagher was able to give some of his fringe players game-time, although he admitted that an illnesss running through the camp is causing him a headache ahead of today's trip.

'It was great for the lads to get some minutes in whatever the opposition was (against Bury),' added Gallagher. 'It was a massive game for Bury but we showed a lot of quality.

'We are going to need everyone in the run-in so it was good for lads who haven't featured as much recently some competitive action. You can't beat that.'

Reed will miss today's clash after damaging ankle ligaments in the win over Gainsborough and it is unclear when the Blues top goalscorer will be able to return.

Andrew Fisk, Rossi Jarvis and Adam Smith have all been under the weather this week whilst Shaun Bammant is struggling with an Achilles problem.

'We've had a bit of injury and illness in the camp – it's difficult when you are running with such a small squad,' said Gallagher. 'We're in a difficult situation but that's what brings the best out of all of us at Lowestoft – we face up to it and don't shy away from that sort of challenge.'

Lowestoft entertain another of the division's high-flyers on Monday when North Ferriby come to Crown Meadow. Gallagher admits he will have to manage his squad's fitness accordingly with two games in such close succession.

'It's always difficult at this time of year and you just have to trust your players.

'We've got a great set of lads with a lot of quality and we need that to show for us to make sure that we stay above the relegation zone.'

Lowestoft last night mutually agreed to release Bradley Woods-Garness from his contract. The striker, who joined the club three years ago, has spent the past few months on loan at Tonbridge Angels.