Survival mission heads to Bury

Zac Attwood challenges for the ball during Hastings United's 1-1 draw away to Canvey Island on Saturday. Picture by Simon Newstead

The U’s make the long trip to Bury Town in the Ryman Football League Premier Division tonight (Tuesday) knowing that a win will not only lift them off the bottom but also out of the two relegation places.

Sean Ray’s side lies a point behind second-bottom Carshalton Athletic with two games in hand and two adrift of third-bottom Wingate & Finchley having played one match fewer. Neither Carshalton nor Wingate are in action tonight.

Speaking after the hard-earned 1-1 draw at play-off chasing Canvey Island on Saturday, Ray said: “We take that point into Tuesday. We’ve got seven days left to give our all and get ourselves out of this mess. We’ve got to grind it out and dig in.”

Ray is determined to end United’s wretched record against a ninth-placed Bury side which still has a mathematical chance of reaching the season-ending promotion play-offs.

“All these records are there to be broken,” continued the aerially commanding central defender. “We never lost to Lowestoft before this season so why can’t we beat Bury away?”

Elsewhere tonight, fourth-placed Rye United will seek to extend their unbeaten run to 14 matches when they travel to eighth-placed Lingfield in Sussex County Football League Division One.

Sidley United can make absolutely sure of their Division One status with victory away to a Crowborough Athletic side which has slid into relegation danger on the back of eight defeats in its last nine matches in all competitions.

Bexhill United will hope to build on their weekend win at Steyning Town when they host second-placed Newhaven in Sussex Division Two. Kick-off at The Polegrove is 7.45pm.