ALVECHURCH will look to spoil Kettering Town's promotion party this Saturday.

The current Southern League Central leaders can seal the title with a win at home against Ian Long's men.

However, Church are in need of the points themselves as they continue to chase a place in this season's play-offs.

They maintained their push to be involved in the end-of-season shake-up thanks to a 3-1 win over Hitchin last weekend.

Goals from Tom Tonks, Aaron Lloyd and Josh March handed them an important success.

They were due to face Leiston at home on Tuesday night before heading to Kettering this Saturday.

Lee Chilton remains sidelined with a stomach strain but Zak Foster (suspension) and Karl Morrison (ribs) could return for the weekend.

Boss Ian Long said: "I know that if we turn up then we'll be a match for anyone in this league.

"They will have the chance to win the league when they play us but we'll try and spoil the party because we have to go and get something for ourselves.

"Anything we do get will be a big bonus but we are capable."

On the win over Hitchin, Long added: "We needed a reaction after losing to Barwell last Tuesday and we got that.

"I don't think we were great but we still did enough to get the win and it was important that we kept it tight at the back.

"We created a lot of chances, had three one-on-ones and should have scored more.

"We have been struggling to create enough chances recently and it was something we want to improve on and I think we did that. We didn't take enough of them but we did create them."

Meanwhile, the manager was full of praise for the way Tonks has settled into life at Lye Meadow.

He said: "He has done really well since coming in and has two in two for us and has also had a few assists with his long throws too.

"I'm actually playing him slightly further forward where I played him when I had him at Tipton and he is doing well there. He's a player that makes the right decisions on the ball but is also capable of finishing and is calm in those positions.

"He still has work to do on his fitness and that'll be something that'll come next season if he stays with us. The main thing is that he's been a really good acquisition."