Lowestoft Town joint boss Micky Chapman admits this season has been one of the toughest during his time at Crown Meadow.

However, the Blues legend is confident his side's campaign can still have a happy ending as they target a play-off spot ahead of their trip to Hampton & Richmond this afternoon.

Player exits, changes at boardroom level and handling supporter expectations contributed to an indifferent first half of the season for the Trawlerboys.

However, having tasted defeat just once in their last 10 games Lowestoft are well placed to snatch a top five spot and Chapman believe it's a testament to his small squad's attitude that they remain in promotion contention.

'This season has been the toughest season ever during my time here - certainly since we've been part of the Ryman,' he revealed. 'With everything we've had to contend with the fact we are still there or thereabouts and it is a testament to the players and to the club as a whole.

'There has been so much going on behind the scenes that we can't always talk about. We've got a small squad, which we've talked about on numerous occasions. There has been so much going on and that can have an impact on the dressing room. We've all stuck together though and we are still up there on limited resources.

'The fact we're still in contention for a play-off place is massive. We're not going to win the league realistically but we can still make the play-offs. All we can do is focus on one game at a time.'

With Wealdstone away and in the clear at the top of the division all that remains is for Lowestoft and their rivals to squabble over the four play-off spots available.

They have of course been Lowestoft's undoing over the last three seasons but Chapman and his squad can look upon them as their potential salvation from a difficult season.

'They're there for the taking aren't they?' said Chapman, who hopes to have both Curtley Williams (ankle) and Chris Henderson (virus) available this afternoon. 'We've been on a great run of late and it's important that we keep that going. We didn't win against Met Police but you're not going to win every game in this division - that's not a reality. All we can do is keep picking up as many points as we can.'

Lowestoft are expected to give new signing Shaun Bammant his debut at the Beveree Stadium after the striker signed on loan from Dereham Town for the rest of the season.