Mark Morsley says his side are not ready for Step 3, despite Sudbury hurtling towards the play-offs!

The Bostik North side have lost just one league game in 12 and haven’t conceded a goal for nigh on 440 minutes!

They are the form side in the division, but Morsley is playing down promotion this season.

“We are not ready for promotion,” he said.

“We are building a side here. You can’t build a side at Step 3. It’s a different level.

“That doesn’t mean we won’t be going for it of course. We are on a good run and if that run takes us into the play-offs then so be it.

“As a team we have probably improved a bit quicker than I expected but that’s because the youngsters who have come in have coped mentally very well, mainly because of the coaching they have been getting in the academy.

“I don’t spend too much time looking at the league table. But I know we are on a good run and that’s what counts.”

Sudbury are in ninth place in Bostik North, 10 points behind sixth-placed Maldon & Tiptree, who were the last team to score against them, albeit in a Sudbury victory.

It is expected sixth would be the final play-off place, although with the restructuring of the leagues next season, seventh place could be a ‘back door’, as Morsley describes it.

Whatever happens, the season has turned for Morsley, who was taking a bit of flak early in his managerial return to King’s Marsh from some fans.

“Yes, we all got a bit of stick when we made a few changes, especially me,” Morsley said.

“It happens but I stood my ground when a few fans were booing our players. I don’t agree with that at all.

“Of course fans are entitled to their opinions, that’s their prerogative. It would have just been nice if some had just given us a bit longer to make our mark. I think my track record deserved that.”

On Saturday, AFC Sudbury entertain second-placed Bowers & Pitsea, having beaten runaway leaders AFC Hornchurch 1-0 on Saturday.

Bowers were surprisingly beaten by basement team Cheshunt at the weekend.