BOWERS & Pitsea boss Rob Small has insisted his side will not underestimate Dereham Town this weekend.

Dereham are currently second from bottom in the Isthmian North and suffered a further blow by being hit with a three-point deduction earlier in the campaign.

However, the Norfolk club grabbed a share of the spoils thanks to a 3-3 draw at Bury Town last time out and Small would not be surprised to see Dereham fighting at the other end of the table come April.

“No-one at Bowers will underestimate Dereham,” said Small.

“They are a good team and will still probably be fighting for promotion come the end of the season because they have got some very talented players.

“We’ve got a very long journey to get there at a difficult time of year.

“There’s no doubting that Dereham is a difficult place to go and get a positive result.

“Hopefully we will turn up on the day and grind something out of the game, like we did when we won at Barking last weekend.”

Bowers are currently two points adrift of table-topping Aveley after a Quentin Monville strike allowed the high-flyers to pick up three points at Barking last weekend.

However, Monville, Lewis Clark and Lewis Manor are doubts for tomorrow’s game after picking up knocks in the victory.