Crawley boss Steve Evans has admitted his side will find it “very difficult” to compete for a Conference play-off spot this season.

Reds just missed out last season and eventually finished ninth but after a poor run they go into tomorrow’s home game against Rushden and Diamonds just two points off the top five on the back of a four-match unbeaten run.

Crawley are currently 11th but nine of the sides above them are ex-League clubs all with ambitions of a return to the big time.

Evans said: “How do we compete with the 11 ex-Football League clubs in this division? The reality is that we don’t. Our rivals are clubs like AFC Wimbledon and Eastbourne Borough.

“We are going to find it very difficult to compete for the play-offs this season.

“In my opinion there are three divisions in this league and we have to be careful that we don’t slip into the bottom division and instead try our best to get into that top pack.

“That will prove difficult with clubs like Oxford, Luton, Cambridge, Wrexham and Stevenage, especially over a 46-game season so we have to make sure when you come up against teams in the middle and bottom groups that we win the majority of our games. That would give you a little sniff of making the top group.

“We don’t pay the big money the big boys do so we have to offer players something different and, dare I say it, take the players they don’t want.

“It is a very tough league and anyone who thinks they have a given right to take points in it just has to take a look at the bottom of the table.

“Gateshead gave us a 4-1 hammering and look where they are and they were as good as anything we have played this season.”

Reds could welcome back midfielder Ben Smith tomorrow. The former Bournemouth schemer has missed the last six games with a knee problem but came through a closed-doors game against Albion on Wednesday.

Eddie Hutchinson is also in contention for a starting place but Evans is reluctant to move the versatile Glenn Wilson from central midfield against his former club after another impressive show in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against AFC Wimbledon.

Evans added: “You are not going to get 60 fantastic passes from Glenn in that position or Cruyff turns but he does the simple things well. He wins headers and tackles and he helps Thomas Pinault with the physical side in there.

“Wilson has been magnificent for us. He gives you everything. He is not everybody’s cup of tea but every team needs someone in there with that energy and ability to get from box to box.”

Reds have only conceded two goals – one a penalty – in their unbeaten run and Evans says it is no coincidence that they have become tighter at the back since skipper Adam Quinn and Karl Broadhurst were paired together in central defence.

He added: “When you have players like Adam Quinn and Karl Broadhurst you are always going to have the chance of preventing goals going in your net. They have been quite awesome since they were paired together.”

Wide man Kieran Djilali has returned to Crystal Palace early following a loan spell.

Crawley (from): Rayner, Rusk, Broadhurst, Quinn, Rents, Smith, Wilson, Pinault, Carruthers, Willock, Louis, Malcolm, Forrest, Killeen, Cogan, Jordan.

Rushden (from): Abbey, Osano, Downer, Stuart, Robinson, Pattison, Porter, Byrne, Tomlin, Farrell, Akurang, Smith, Reid, Roberts, Cousins, Corcoran.

Follow Crawley v Rushden tomorrow LIVE at theargus.co.uk/sport/matchdaylive.