Lowestoft Town face a crucial month in the preservation of their Conference North status, according to director of football Craig Fleming.

The Trawlerboys finally gained their first away win of the season in the league at Brackley last weekend to put some breathing space between themselves and the relegation zone.

Lowestoft are eight points above the bottom three and Fleming, pictured, is determined to ease any lingering drop fears over the next month, starting at Gloucester City.

'I think the next month or so is going to be huge for us,' said Fleming. 'We've put a bit of distance between ourselves and the bottom three but we can't relax by any means.

'If we can have a good month then I think we can make ourselves very safe, which has always been the top priority this season.

'Things are so tight in the division and if you can put a run together then you can find yourself shooting up the league. Tamworth looked dead and buried a few months back but all of a sudden they're third.'

Fleming insists that any talk of making a late dash for the play-offs should be firmly put to bed.

'It's far too early to be talking of that,' said the former Norwich City defender, whose side are 10 points off fifth-placed Hednesford. 'We need to concentrate on getting ourselves safe because if we get ideas above our station then we will get slapped back down.'

Danny Crow will lead the line again for the Blues after the new signing notched his first goals for the club in the win at Brackley. Fleming said the former Canaries striker has had a big impact at Crown Meadow since his arrival earlier this month.

'He has made a big difference to us already – his hold-up play is excellent and that has really helped us,' he said. 'It helps take the pressure off us and gives us something to build from.'

The injury troubles that blighted the first of the season for the Blues have eased in recent weeks with the returns of Lee Smith and Dan Gleeson pivotal.

However, Curtis Haynes-Brown (hamstring) and Robert Eagle (gash) are doubts for today's trip whilst Chris Henderson is no nearer a return thanks to a persistent groin problem.

'We've missed him (Henderson),' said Fleming. 'I think his pace would have been a real asset this season. Hopefully we can get it sorted sooner rather than later.'

n Lowestoft Town Ladies are in FA Cup third round action tomorrow when they travel to Millwall Lionesses, kick-off 1pm.

Millwall play three levels higher than the Trawlergirls.