Needham Market manager Mark Morsley admits it’s becoming ‘tough to call’ as the Ryman Premier play-offs hot up.

With Bognor Regis and Havant & Waterlooville away clear at the top of the table – one of them will get automatic promotion – it is now three from eight to finish third, fourth and fifth in the table to join either Bognor or Havant in the play-offs.

And with just four points separating third-placed Leiston and 10th-placed Harlow, it’s all up for grabs – Needham are in sixth.

“It’s tough to call this season,” Morsley said.

“I do think the clubs that have the biggest squads and the most experience will come through and that could mean the likes of Dulwich Hamlet and Billericay.

“Billiercay with their money could bomb into the play-offs which is a shame for clubs like us if we miss out. We are running a young squad, trying to promote our academy players, while they (Billericay) are throwing thousands at it.

“Good luck to them. We play them on the final day of the season. Could be very important, David v Goliath.”

Needham Market travel to Met Police on Saturday looking to bounce back from their poor result at Staines last weekend.

Met Police are scrapping near the bottom of the table, but Morsley thinks they will be safe.

“They had a bad start to the season but they are a good side,” Morsley said.

“Like all games at this level, it will be tough. I don’t think they will finish in the bottom four. The whole league is a tough environment. For my players they will be better for the experience of it all.”

Needham were being tipped by many to be the fall guys when it came to the play-offs, with so many teams in and around them with games in hand.

Now it is just Leiston and Dulwich Hamlet who have one game each in hand however.

Whatever the final outcome, Morsley and Richard Wilkins, who takes over as first-team boss next season, are already planning ahead.

“We go and watch games already, you have to plan for next season,” Morsley said.

“One thing I am proud of this season though is that we have put Needham Market FC firmly on the map.”