Wisbech Town boss Steve Appleby takes his troops to Mildenhall for a top-of-the-table clash knowing his side will fight to the death.

The Fenmen's manager has often praised his high-flying side's ability to play football but was delighted on Tuesday when they ground out a hard-fought FA Vase second round replay win over St Ives Town.

Appleby, a tough-tackling midfielder in his playing days, is hoping for more of the same this afternoon when second-placed Wisbech visit Mildenhall - a team who are six points ahead of them in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division having played a game more.

The Wisbech manager, who celebrated his 1,000th day in charge of the club on Tuesday, said: 'I'm well chuffed. Fair play to St Ives, they showed they're a good side. We showed the other side of our game, which sometimes I've wondered whether we had.

'We're a good footballing side and we like to play but we have shown we can battle. We can dig in, win ugly and wear our tin hats at times.

'It was a fantastic battle. They were two great games and thankfully we came out on top.'

Goals from Dubi Ogbonna - who St Ives put a seven-day approach in for this week - and Deakan Napier clinched a 2-1 win and set up a third round trip to West Yorkshire side Thackley on December 8.

Yet, that gave will be far from Appleby's thoughts as his team look to close the gap on Mildenhall.

Elsewhere, in a quieter league programme than normal due to Norfolk Senior Cup fourth round matches, mid-table Kirkley & Pakefield host Godmanchester Rovers.

In the First Division, Fakenham Town visit whipping boys Cornard United while Swaffham Town - who have bagged 12 goals in their last two league games with consecutive 6-1 triumphs - will be looking to keep up their fine form when they entertain struggling Team Bury.