Borough eye crucial point in Lok's final game at the Lane

Not only do Borough require a point to secure their National League South status, it will be their last game on grass at Priory Lane as their new 3G pitch is to be installed in the summer. It will also be striker Darren Lok’s final home game for the club.

Lok will head to Malaysia at the end of the season and will hope to begin a new football career in South East Asia.

Lok, 24, became a regular in the Borough side when Tommy Widdrington, the Eastbourne Borough manager, arrived at the club in 2012. He went on to become a popular figure at the Lane thanks to his all- action displays and his useful habit of scoring crucial late goals, particuarly from the substitutes’ bench.

“I’m sure Darren will want his last game at Priory Lane to be a win,” Widdrington said. “Darren has been a fantastic servant and I can’t speak highly enough of him as a player and as a person.

“He forced his way into the first team and the way he has conducted himself ever since has been excellent. If any young player at the club wants to progress in football then they would do very well to follow Loky’s example.

“We wish him all the best in Malaysia and I’m sure the fans will give him the reception he fully deserves on Saturday.”

Putting sentiments to one side, Borough’s recent form has been poor and they have picked up just one point from their last five matches.

Defeats to teams below them, including St Albans and last week’s frustrating 1-0 loss at Bath City, has sucked Borough back into the relegation picture. Widdrington’s men are four points above the drop zone and a point is still required to ensure safety. Having the best 3G pitch in the Ryman League is not something Widdrington is contemplating.

“We are certainly not thinking about relegation and it has not been mentioned in the dressing room. We have a big game against Gosport, it is our final home game of the season and our final game on grass. We want to finish with a good performance for our fans, who have been terrific.”