Lowestoft Town joint boss Micky Chapman insists there is still a long way to go in the Ryman League Premier title race despite Sutton United enjoying a 10-point lead at the top of the table.

The Blues head to Maidstone United this afternoon (kick-off 3pm) as they look to strengthen their promotion drive and Chapman believes Sutton can still be caught.

Lowestoft would be six points behind the league leaders if they can win their three games in hand and Chapman believes the Trawlerboys can put together a run of results to ensure the title race is far from over.

'There's still a long way to go and there will be a lot more twists and turns before the season is out,' said Chapman, whose side came away from Horsham last weekend with a 2-1 victory courtesy of Michael Frew's brace. 'A lot of people are saying that Sutton have already won it but I think that's disrespectful to the other teams in the division.

'Anyone can beat anyone in this league and teams are going to take points off each other all the time.

'We can't worry about what other teams are doing though - we've just got to focus on ourselves and make sure that we get it right.'

Chapman has been impressed by the way his side have bounced back from the two consecutive defeats against Tooting &Mitcham and Sutton last month.

And in Frew the Blues appear to have found the goalscorer they have been craving with the former Corby man striking up an excellent understanding with Matt Nolan up front.

'Frew has settled in really well for us since signing,' added Chapman, whose side go to Bury in the semi-final of the Suffolk Senior Cup next Tuesday evening. 'We're very careful about who we bring into the club but he has hit the ground running and his partnership with Matt Nolan has been exciting for everyone in the last few weeks.

'Frew is proving what a quality player he is but we are pleased with how everyone has bounced back from those two defeats.'

The strength of Lowestoft's squad could be tested today though with several key players nursing knocks.

Greg Crane was only fit enough to be on the bench against Horsham due to a shoulder injury but is expected to figure while Adam Smith is struggling to shake off an ankle problem picked up last weekend.

Andrew Fisk (hamstring) and Nolan (achilles) will face fitness tests to ascertain if they can play any part but Chapman is confident Lowestoft have enough strength in their squad to cope with any losses.

'You don't want to be losing important players at this time of the season but that's why we have built a squad with a lot of quality – any one of them can come in and do a job,' he said.