Leiston chairman Andy Crisp is hopeful his side can get back to winning ways tonight when Merstham visit Victory Road.

The Blues lost 2-1 at home to Wingate & Finchley on Saturday, a result that saw them drop out of the Ryman Premier Division play-off positions for the first time in many months.

In fact, the Suffolk side are without a win in five league games, and have lost their last three.

“We have been below our usual standard in recent weeks,” admitted Crisp.

“Saturday was disappointing.

“Wingate probably just deserved their win, they were well organised and difficult to play against.

“It’s important to get back to winning ways, and fingers crossed we can do that against Merstham.”

Crisp is keen for his side to make full use of their games in hand on their promotion rivals, and climb back into the play-off positions as soon as possible.

“I’m sure Tony Kinsella and Glenn Driver (Leiston’s management team) will get us back on track soon, we have to roll our sleeves up, go again, and try and get back into the top five,” said the chairman.

“We have weekend and midweek games virtually every week now until the season ends, and everybody is ready for the run in.

“The club morale here is still very good, despite recent results.

“We have all been disappointed, of course, but the players take it on the chin when they lose and enjoy it when they win. That’s the way it should be.

“It’d be nice to go on another unbeaten run as the season comes to a close.”

Tonight’s Surrey-based opponents will provide another tough test for the Blues.

Despite their lowly position of 20th, Merstham, like Leiston, have a number of games in hand on their rivals, and before Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to second-placed Havant & Waterlooville, had won three league games in a row.

Former Ipswich Town and Arsenal youngster Dean McDonald was on target in a recent 4-0 win at AFC Sudbury, and is very much Merstham’s man to watch out for.

Pitch covers were put in place on the Victory Road surface after Saturday’s defeat and Leiston are hopeful the game tonight will go ahead (7.45pm kick-off).