Leiston defender Tom Bullard sees no reason why the Blues can’t make a late attack on the Ryman League play-offs, ahead of today’s away day at VCD Athletic.

The Blues are currently three points outside the play-off places in eighth, but have a real chance to take advantage today against the division’s second-bottom team, who have not won in their last six games.

Leiston have been consistently inconsistent in recent weeks, losing five, winning four and drawing two of their last 11 games, but a good run of form would boost their chances of reaching the end-of-season lottery.

“The feeling is that we can definitely still make the play-offs, everyone is singing off the same hymn sheet and if we go on a good run now, there is no reason why we should not be making the top five,” said Bullard.

“Everything is fairly positive to be fair, despite losing our manager (Steve Ball) and a few of the players.

“The new manager (Richard Wilkins) has come in and has done brilliant. We are sat in a good position.

“Injuries have been killing us of late and it’s not been often that the gaffer has had a full squad from which to choose, so we have done really well. Those players are coming back now.”

Along with recent injury victims Joe Francis, Josh Mayhew, Danny Cunningham, Patrick Brothers and Leon Ottley-Gooch, Bullard has had his fair share of woe this season but is now back to full fitness.

“I have had a bit of an up and down season,” he added.

“At first it was my groin, then I broke my toe.

“At the start of the season, the manager was alternating between myself, Joe Jefford and Adam Tann at centre-back, but since Adam left, myself and Joe have been playing alongside each other.

“I am enjoying it. We are similar types of players and we get along well with each other off the pitch.

“The whole defence has been doing well though, keeping clean sheets.”

One main part of that successful rearguard is Stuart Boardley, and the long-serving player celebrates his 30th birthday today.

Bullard said: “Stuart’s normally a midfield player but he’s been brilliant at left-back, he reads the game so well.”