SLOUGH Town joint-manager Jon Underwood wants the Rebels to be hard to beat as Chelmsford City visit Arbour Park in the National League South today (Saturday, 3pm), writes Rob Stevens.

Slough have struggled for goals and a win so far in the New Year, losing 1-0 at home to Wealdstone and 4-0 away at Torquay United, before an improved performance saw them draw 0-0 with Bath City in midweek.

The Rebels have now gone 347 minutes without scoring and they will be without suspended striker Ben Harris and James Dobson, who this week completed a move to Sutton United.

However, striker Chris Flood will return to the squad and midfielder Matthew Lench is expected to be involved after signing from rivals Wealdstone in midweek. Captain Mark Nisbet could also return from a toe injury.

Underwood told the Observer: "The New Year hasn't really started for us in terms of results, but the point against Bath was a good one.

"Chelmsford are in very good form, so it will be another tough game against a physically strong side, but we matched Bath, who were also in good form, in midweek.

"We've got to be as solid as we can be, plus hard to beat, and hopefully if we can take a chance or two then we might get a result.

"We need to get a win sooner rather than later but, if it's a draw and a good performance, then it will be another good point."

Slough are currently in 11th position in the league table and six points outside the play-off spots, while Chelmsford are in fourth place having lost just once in their last six league matches.

The Rebels went to Chelmsford and won 1-0 back in September thanks to a goal from Flood midway through the second-half.

The match at the Melbourne Stadium will be remembered for a moment of brilliance from keeper Jack Turner after he reacted instinctively to push a powerful close range shot up and onto the underside of the crossbar.