BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT assistant boss Chris Smith says his team must be switched on from the start of tomorrow's Ryman League division north match at Haringey Borough.

The contest pits the division's two most in-form sides against each other, with Regent nine points clear at the top of the table and Haringey up to fifth after last week's 5-2 victory against Great Wakering Rovers.

Smith is therefore expecting a tough game and has warned his players to be focused from the first whistle.

“On Haringey’s pitch, it’s going to be a really hard match," said Smith, who works alongside first-team boss James Webster.

“We’ve heard it’s a really slow surface and we’re a bit worried the players may struggle to adapt.

“Statistically, Haringey score a lot of early goals because teams find it hard getting used to the pitch.

“(Midfielder) Connor Witherspoon’s dad went to watch them at the weekend, to do a little number on them.

"It's a really massive game for us against the form team in the league but we’ve got to keep on doing what we’re doing."

Brightlingsea's winning streak continued with a 1-0 victory at home to Bury Town last Saturday.

Their success came on the same day that second-placed Maldon and Tiptree lost at home to Smith's former team, Brentwood Town.

“My old team did us a massive favour, although I always felt they had a chance against Maldon," he said.

“But I’m not sure where the Soham result against Thurrock came from, or Hornchurch only getting a draw against Wroxham.

“It’s incredible and it was a dream day, from our point of view.

“We can’t believe the position we’re in.

“Just reaching the play-offs would be such an achievement – that has always been the goal, since we started putting this team together last June."

Smith praised his side for keeping a hard-earned clean sheet last weekend, especially as they were without the suspended Matt Cripps, injured Ricky Griggs and unavailable Russell Malton.

“We won ugly, in difficult conditions, and on another day we could have conceded," he said.

“But credit to their keeper because he was fantastic for them, despite the fact he was clearly struggling with injury.

“Some of the saves he made were out of the top drawer and he kept his team in it.

“But I always felt we had a goal in us.

“Maybe earlier in the season we wouldn’t have won 1-0.

“However, our defence has done really well, since we brought Pip (Boyland) into the equation. He organises everyone.

“To do it without Matt, Ricky and Russell, who are pretty much first choices in our team, was really impressive and it was Jake Gould’s first start since the Bowers game.

“Credit to the boy because he really dug in and showed a lot of character."