Lowestoft joint boss Micky Chapman insists the champions are still in the Ridgeons Premier Division title race ahead of today's Crown Meadow test against Wisbech.

Lowestoft joint boss Micky Chapman insists the champions are still in the Ridgeons Premier Division title race ahead of today's Crown Meadow test against Wisbech.

The Blues slipped further behind pace-setters Mildenhall after a Boxing Day derby draw with neighbours Kirkley.

“There is still lots to play for and some big, big games ahead,” said Chapman. “We have to play the top sides and while people will be writing us off, we'll quietly get on with our job and see what happens.

“The league is not won or lost over Christmas and there's still a lot of football to be played. That is when trophies are won and lost and there are lots of points at stake.”

Chapman is backing his squad to handle the demands of a congested fixture calendar, with Lowestoft also gunning for cup glory.

“We're taking it one game at a time,” he said. “The club has the FA Vase, League Cup and East Anglian Cup and we're in a nice position in the league. As champions, every single team we face raises their game as they want to beat you. We're getting used to that now and are standing up to the physical challenges thrown at us from a lot of sides - we believe our quality will come through in the end.”

Wisbech arrive at Crown Meadow looking to close in on Fenmen boss Dick Creasey's festive points target after victories over King's Lynn Reserves and Halstead.

“I set the lads a target of 10 to 12 points over the Christmas period,” he said. “We're full of confidence so it is certainly achievable. We've had two good wins and if we can continue in the same way over the busy period ahead, the table will certainly change.”

Creasey paid tribute to his re-shaped squad for pulling clear of the relegation zone in recent matches.

“It's a transition period for the club,” he said. “We got rid of some of the older players and replaced them with youngsters. We've also made massive changes to the way we play over the past four or five weeks. I have tried to get the lads to play shorter and pass the ball through midfield. We certainly have the players who can do that and we are a much more interesting side to watch but these changes will take time to bed down.”

Kirkley's Ricky Butler should shake off a flu virus for the trip to Clacton. Nick Shorten is expected to again field third choice stopper Tom Banger.