THE PREVIEW: Great Wakering have a tough assignment when they travel to play-off hopefuls Thurrock tomorrow, although they were bolstered by their victory over Waltham Abbey last time out.

The win dragged Wakering nine points clear of the drop zone, although they will not be licking their lips at the prospect of playing Thurrock, who won the reverse fixture 4-1.

Wakering’s defensive record is only worse than that of the two sides propping up the division, while Fleet are joint top-scorers, as Gary Ansell looks for a way to shore up his porous backline.

However, Fleet have not been in the best form themselves of late. Their win against Witham on Tuesday ended a run of three straight defeats, and their hopes of automatic promotion look all but over, 18 points off top spot.

However, the group of team’s looking to pip Thurrock to the play-offs is drawing ever closer and this will be a match Mark Stimson’s men should win, if they harbour promotion ambitions.

WHAT HE SAYS: Wakering boss Gary Ansell said: “It was an important victory against Waltham Abbey as it was a must-win game.

“We have a real shortage of centre-halves for the game at Thurrock which poses a problem, especially against a team as good as Thurrock, although it would be hard even if we had all our defenders available.

“Thurrock, along with AFC Hornchurch are best team we have played this season, so it will be tough.”

FORM GUIDE: WLLLWD

TEAM NEWS: Lewis Sparrow and Nick Skelton are injured. Max Kent and Stuart Hepburn are banned.