AFC Sudbury boss Mark Morsley says he felt ‘expectations were far too high’ after his Bostik North side went on a fine winning run of late.

The King’s Marsh stadium club won four on the bounce in December and on New Year’s Day at Bury Town, to propel them upto sixth place in the table and on the edge of the play-offs.

Heady heights for the young west Suffolk side, with many people in the non-league world suggesting Sudbury could go all the way and gatecrash the top five.

But Morsley has poured cold water on those thoughts – for now anyhow.

“Expectations were far too high and we are not ready for step 3 football,” he said.

“I believe the top five now will be the top five at the end of April.

“The aim of the club now is evolution not revelation. AFC Sudbury is not only an incredible football club and Academy, it is a developing business. There’ll soon be a new board structure announced with exciting aims and targets all of which will dovetail with the on pitch developments.”

Sudbury’s winning run came to an end when high-flying Aveley beat them at home last weekend. And it doesn’t get any easier for the Yellows as they head to league leaders Bowers & Pitsea this weekend.

“Bowers are the favourites to win the league but only narrowly beat us at home earlier in the season,” Morsley added.

“We were well beaten by an excellent Aveley side last week but having studied the match video with the staff we worked on correcting the errors in training this week.

“We’ve had a great run and after a blip I can’t wait to see how we react to what is another huge challenge.”

And Morsley admits he has evolved as a manager at Sudbury and feels the fans are enjoying what they are seeing.

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“Journeymen non-league footballers and short-term financial support is not the route to sustained success,” he said.

“I know this better than most as I’ve had these to contend with and with great staff have done well.

“However I believe that I have evolved as a manager and working with Danny Laws and the combined 1st team and Academy staff we are creating something special.

“I also believe that the supporters can see this in the way we play and the steady increase in gates show they are being entertained.

“It is also another sustainable fixed income that helps us achieve the aims at the Kings Marsh stadium.

On Saturday, Billy Holland is suspended, as is Morsley from the dug-out after his recent sending off, while Jordan Blackwell is still another fortnight away.

Also in Bostik North, Mildenhall Town entertain Witham Town at Recreation Way on Saturday.