King: we can't reach play-offs

The Rooks could still mathematically make the end-of-season play-offs, but King admits the possible but highly unlikely is just not going to happen.

Lewes are unbeaten in 11 games stretching back to February 10, but a run of five draws in the last six games has scuppered any realistic chance of a place in the Conference South top five.

King blamed a lack of sharpness in front of goal for his side's 1-1 draws against Havant and Bognor on Good Friday and Easter Monday respectively.

He said, "We didn't take our chances, which has changed our season. We've cured the goals going in at our end '“ it's the draws that have done us."

Of the Havant draw King said, "I'm disappointed with drawing that game '“ we should have been two or three up by half time but didn't take our chances.

"And we had to win the game on Monday; we were all over Bognor in the first half but again didn't take our chances."

King admitted that "you wouldn't be able to print" what he said to his players in the dressing room after Monday's game, but he refused to criticise his strikers, pointing out, "We were top scorers in the league not that long ago '“ and we're still third or fourth top scorers.

It's just at this vital time that we've not taken our chances.

"We can't make the play-offs even if we win all our games. We can only get 65 points and there are already teams in the play-off places on 64 and 65 points.

"But we'll go into games wanting to win them all, and we'll try not to get another draw!" he joked.

Looking ahead to tomorrow's opponents Hayes, who are deeply entrenched in the relegation battle but have managed three wins in the last three games.

"They've gone on a good run '“ three wins out of three '“ they looked dead and buried before that. It will be as hard as playing a top team.

"But we'll go out and try to entertain the fans."

King admitted that he gave up the opportunity to run an eye over tomorrow's opponents Hayes when they played Newport County on Wednesday night, preferring instead to "look at a player at another Conference South club."

King added, "We'll just see the season out and see who we're going to keep. There will be four or five players who won't be here next season."

Paul Kennett is struggling with an abdomen injury and is rated at "50-50" for tomorrow's match, as is Lewis Hamilton who has a thigh problem.