SLOUGH Town joint-manager Jon Underwood has challenged The Rebels to increase the gap on the sides below them in the National League South table, writes Rob Stevens.

The Rebels have won eight of their last nine league matches, and been victorious in their last five league games at Arbour Park, to stand second in the table and four points behind leaders Wealdstone.

Slough are seven points ahead of Braintree Town in eighth place, and Underwood is not targeting anything more than securing a play-off spot.

He explained to the Observer: “We’ve put ourselves in a brilliant position in the league.

“We’ve been really consistent over the last couple of months in a league where it’s difficult to be consistent and that has given us a little cushion on the teams below us, but you keep on wanting more.

“You look at the next two games at home, we’ve lost two cup ties at Arbour Park but won our last five league games, so generally our form here is good.

“You look at those two games and you try to get four or six points, and if you do that it continues to put the pressure on those teams below you.

“We have got an eight point gap on the team outside of the play-offs and we’ve got to try and extend that if we can.

“We’re not thinking about any more than that and know we will have a run where things don’t go for us.

“Things have gone for us recently and we’ve had a brilliant run, so we will keep on stretching that for as long as we can and try to stay consistent.”

Underwood continued: “We should not be challenging Havant for any position in the league with the finances they’ve got and the experience in their squad.

“We’re punching well above our weight being where we are. Our aim this season was to get into the play-offs and that remains the target.

“If in two months time we’re first or second in the league then that changes, but at the moment it’s very much about keeping an eye on those below us and trying to keep a little gap between ourselves and those chasing teams.”

The Rebels return to league action with a visit to Arbour Park from third-bottom Tonbridge Angels this Saturday (3pm), and Underwood expects another tough game.

He said: “Tonbridge have had some better form recently albeit mainly home games, three wins at home in the last month or so in all competitions. They haven’t done so well on the road.

“We know them pretty well and their manager was at Arbour Park in midweek, so they’ll have good knowledge about us.

“It will be another tough game like it is every week. Tonbridge will come here and make it difficult for us. They’ve got some players that are dangerous going forward.

“We’re at home, in good form and will brush off the defeat in midweek to come back positive and look to extend the run.”