Mullets face a tough battle to beat the drop

Mullets have lost just one in their last six and sit three places and four points off the relegation zone.

But, apart from bottom side Chichester and second-bottom St Francis who seem to have both fallen away, it looks like a five-horse race between Ringmer, Worthing United, Horsham YMCA, Shoreham and Mullets to avoid the last relegation place.

Torode, however, has refused to set his side a points target and will instead be taking each game as it comes.

He said: “There are quite a few points left to play for, although everyone else down there seems to be picking them up as well.

“We’ve been on a good run, but so have Shoreham. Ringmer have Sammy (Donnelly) now so I expect them to start doing ok, while Horsham have been brought right into it.

“Starting with East Grinstead on Saturday, they are all vital games and we need to pick up as many points as possible.

“We’ll be looking at it each week and seeing what everyone has done. We have 11 games left and although you’d like to win everyone, obviously, it’s probably not possible.“

Mullets were hoping to play a friendly this week after they have had their previous two, crucial league fixtures postponed.

Both fell to the weather – their away trip at Ringmer on Saturday frozen off, and home match with United the previous weekend falling to a waterlogged pitch.

Torode added: “We haven’t played in a couple of weeks and after a good win against Peacehaven’s it’s frustrating as it has stopped us in our tracks.”

However, one benefit will be they head to East Grinstead with a virtually full-strength side. Mike Gardener and Ash Hunter both return, although Josh Sutcliffe is unavailable. Mullets are also boosted by the news that Burgess Hill have ended their pursuit of 33-goal top-scorer Scott Tipper.

Torode added: “They have realised Scott is pretty loyal and he’ll be staying until the end of the season at least. It’s vital to be honest, as are a number of the players, but they’re aren’t many players in the league that score as many as Scott.

“Gary Norgate has also hit some form, so it’s crucial to have them both firing up top.”