Whitehawk's players are determined to thank their fans with a performance to remember tonight.

The Hawks host Ebbsfleet United in the first leg of their Vanarama National League south play-off semi-final this evening (7.45pm).

A bumper crowd is expected at the Enclosed Ground for the final home match of a rollercoaster season.

The campaign has included a memorable run to the second round of the FA Cup which featured home ties against Lincoln City and Dagenham and Redbridge, the latter being a replay which was televised live.

That was followed by a slump in form which led to fears of relegation but under caretaker boss Pablo Asensio they have finished the regular season with six wins and a draw from their final seven matches to climb from 18th in the table on March 12 to a final finish of fifth.

Through the highs and lows of the campaign, Whitehawk’s supporters have grown in numbers and earned praise wherever they have been for their good nature and behaviour.

Ebbsfleet will be clear favourites going into the game, having finished the season 20 points clear of Whitehawk but Asensio and his team are quietly confident of causing an upset against a team who were expected to win the league this season.

And they are also driven by a desire to give their fans something to shout about.

The Hawks boss said: “We had an email this week from Truro, following our game there last week, saying how good our supporters were on the evening.

“They said they were very noisy but very respectful and friendly.

“It was a lovely letter and quite unusual in football to receive something like that.

“But we know our supporters are great and hopefully in the last game of the season at home we can give them what they deserve. That is what all the players are determined to do.”

Asensio insists there is no pressure on his team, given Ebbsfleet’s expectations this year.

But he stressed that will not mean Hawks are any less determined than their visitors.

The Argentinean said: “The pressure I put on myself is the worst pressure. I always put pressure on myself to win, even in training.

“The external pressure is none at all. When I took over the directors just asked me to save the club from relegation so there is no pressure.

“The supporters understand we are in a transitional period and they know we don’t have the number of players that Ebbsfleet have.

“There is a lot of pressure on them (Ebbsfleet). For me, it is just the pressure I put on myself to win.”

Hawks have lost two key players for the play-offs, including the second leg at Ebbsfleet on Sunday.

Alex Osborn and Michael West, who have been influential in the unbeaten finish to the season, have both been on loan from Ebbsfleet and have now returned to their parent club.

However, Asensio has been aware of this for a while and has been preparing for such a situation.

He has protected Jake Robinson and Sergio Torres in recent matches, in terms of game time, so that they are fully fit for the play-offs.

He said: “Alex and Mike have brought extra quality to the group and have blended into the group well. They have been top class for us.

“We will have to modify a few things and adapt. Perhaps I have a different type of player but it is a very competitive and quality team I will be putting on the pitch.”

Argentinean centre-back Juan Cruz Gotta comes back into the squad, having been out since early March with a hamstring injury.

Chris Sessegnon will also be included after recovering from a shoulder problem which has sidelined him for seven matches and French midfielder Stephane Ngamvoulou is another option after returning from a loan spell at Boston United.

Meanwhile, Asensio has confirmed loanee defender Ed Dryden has returned to parent club Stoke City. The teenager is set to be released by the Premier League club and wants to sort out his future.