Eastbourne Borough have ten games to define their season

The Sports are poised precariously close to the drop zone in a league table which persistently refuses to shake out into strugglers and survivors.

You could throw a tarpaulin over ten clubs from 12th position down to 21st – one of which will go down.

And even that assessment takes the risky assumption that tail-enders Hungerford Town will fail to make up a six-point gap.

The Sports’ current 18th position is far from desperate – they have games in hand over the three clubs immediately below them, and indeed victories in those games could see them reach the spiralling heights of twelfth place.

But after a blank day last weekend, they need to get out and play.

Bloor said: “Frustrating to say the least! We were not too surprised to get the call on Saturday morning, that the Tonbridge trip was off.

"But we have used the time productively – and open training session last Saturday lunchtime, and a very useful friendly on Tuesday with Langney Wanderers.

"And meanwhile I had somebody watching Maidstone as well as a couple of scouts elsewhere.

“Maidstone United will be very tough opponents on Saturday. They had a little recent run of defeats but they are a big, strong, organised team. We will have planned accordingly.

"It’ll be a good atmosphere – Maidstone are well supported and their fans will be well represented. To be honest I can’t remember when we last saw a dull or dreary game at the Lane!”

Ten cup finals, Danny?

Bloor added: “Well, no, not in the sense of death or glory. In these remaining ten games there be will ups and down, smiles and tears.

"But there isn’t a computer programme out there that can dice and slice all the outcomes.

"I’m very mindful that we as a club, and my group of players, don’t need to worry about anyone else. We just concentrate on ourselves and getting our own game right.

“We have shown beyond any doubt that we have commitment, togetherness, battling qualities to match any club in this division.

"We just don’t know when we are beaten – and remember we haven’t been beaten in 2020 except by two dead-ball kicks at Dartford.

"We want to turn some of the draws into victories, and Saturday will be a good time to start.”

After Saturday, Bloor takes his side on Tuesday night (7.45) to the Longmead – assuming it is playable – in another attempt to tackle Tonbridge Angels.

The Kent club still have a dozen games to play, eight of them at home, and they face a chaotic final run-in.

The Sports have a more measured schedule, including some big six-pointers with the likes of Dulwich, Chippenham and Hungerford – and, intriguingly, a home fixture on the last day of the season against floundering Braintree Town.

Nothing like keeping the season alive! Apart from his long-term sidelined player-coach Sergio Torres, the manager has a full squad to choose from.

Bloor said: “There is eager competition in several positions, which is a nice problem to have!

"I have also added Ben Allen, on work experience from Gillingham. He is a bright young attacking player and we welcome him to the Lane.”

Maidstone – with a full-time squad and a large playing budget – this week announced that manager John Still, who has the status of non-league royalty, is easing back from management duties, allowing coach Hakim Hayrettin to step up.

Four defeats in the last five have possibly derailed the Stones’ play-off ambitions, but – in this tightest of National League South seasons – every club has everything to play for.