ROB Small has strengthened his side ahead of Bowers & Pitsea’s trip to Bury Town by completing the signing of Matt Lock.

The Isthmian North table-toppers make the trip into Suffolk having enjoyed a record-breaking 10 match winning run.

And Small believes the experience of former Maldon & Tiptree captain Matt Lock could prove crucial in the run-in.

“Matt adds a lot of experience and after losing Callum Leahy and Ben Sartain to suspension and injury respectively, I felt the centre of midfield was somewhere we needed to strengthen,” said the Bowers boss.

“I built up a decent relationship with Matt while he was at Maldon and I asked him if he would be happy to come and do a job for us until the end of the season.

“He agreed to the offer and, although he hasn’t played since leaving Maldon at the end of last season, Matt has trained with us a couple of times.

“Matt is three steps ahead of everyone else on the pitch because of his football brain, so what he may lack in match sharpness he will make up for in that respect.”

Bury are just one of three teams to have avoided defeat to Bowers at the Len Salmon Stadium this term, having recorded a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture.

And Small knows Bowers will need to be at their best to overcome seventh-placed Bury.

“Bury is one of the most difficult away games of the season,” added Small.

“They are a good team who have flirted with the play-offs for most of the campaign.

“It will take one hell of a performance to beat them.”