Halstead Town assume the role of favourites again tomorrow – days after pulling off an impressive giant-killing act.

Jody Brown’s side travel to play division one’s bottom club Swaffham Town, still buoyant following their eye-catching East Anglian Cup victory at premier division leaders Lowestoft Town in midweek.

Halstead head into the match knowing that a victory could take them back to the top of the division one table.

Boss Brown admitted that beating the likes of Swaffham – who have only two league wins to their name this season – is essential if they are to realise their dream of returning to the Ridgeons League elite.

He told the Gazette: “It’s a must-win game for us.

“We can’t hide behind cliches like ‘we’ll take each game as it comes’.

“When you look at your fixtures, if you want to win promotion you have to beat the side that is bottom of the table.

“Swaffham’s not an easy place to go to.

“There’s a massive slope and the pitch isn’t the best – but if we perform as well as we know we can we will win the game.”

Brown was delighted with his side’s 3-1 win at Lowestoft, who are going well in the FA Vase as well as the league this season.

“Their manager was bitterly disappointed,” said Brown.

“We’re a division one team and they’re top of the premier division but in certain areas we completely dominated them.

“I think the result against Lowestoft and our win over Ely earlier in the season show that we shouldn’t have any fear – if we can win promotion.

“We calculated the best way to play against them and that was to isolate their full-backs.

“We did that well and that’s to the players credit for executing it.”

Halstead have Craig Newman available again and Tom Austin should be back after illness.

Wayne Saunders is also in contention for a starting place after coming through more than 75 minutes against Lowestoft, following a lengthy injury lay-off.

“To have Wayne back was a big bonus to us,” added Brown.