Leiston St Margarets boss Gary Lambert knows that today’s bottom-of-the-table encounter against Claydon is a crunch match.

The two Touchline Suffolk & Ipswich League sides have been directly battling it out in the two bottom places of the Senior Division all season, and meet this afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm) in a game both will be desperate to win.

“It’s a huge game and you just have to look at the table to see how big it is,” said Lambert, whose side will climb six points above basement dwellers Claydon if they manage a win, but will draw level on points and position should they lose.

“A draw wouldn’t do a lot for either side, and I’m sure both sides will be going for the win – we certainly will,” Lambert added.

With only one side going down from the Senior Division this season, this game is doubly important and Saints, following some heavy defeats, not least to Capel Plough (7-1) and Haughley United (7-0) last month, come into this game on the back of a much-needed 2-1 win over Grundisburgh.

“The boys have been working really hard and they showed lots of character to get that win against Grundisburgh,” Lambert added.

“I believe we were by far the superior of the sides, and showed that we can get results when we get it right, as we have also done against Achilles (two draws).

“We’re fighting to stay up and I certainly think we are good enough to stay in this division.

“I think for the most part, we’ve competed and battled well all season, but have just lacked that bit of creativity and quality up top to put the ball in the net.

“We have attracted four or five players through the season who have helped in that department though.

“It is important we stay in this division – our aim is to stay up, add stability, and then look to push on as I think we can build something here.

“A lot of the lads are young, and they have learned the hard way and been thrown in at the deep end, but they will be stronger for it.”

Aaron Newton and Owen Quinn, two signings brought in from Aldeburgh Town earlier this season, were St Margarets’ goalscorers last week, and will look to strike again today in a crucial encounter in the grand scheme of things.