Former Crawley boss Billy Smith believes the club have his successor as manager in place already.

Smith, speaking publicly for the first time since he resigned a fortnight ago, today urged the club to make caretaker Francis Vines' appointment a permanent one.

Vines stepped up from the reserves when Smith quit after over three years in charge and has since guided Reds to three successive victories.

Already over 20 applications for the job have been received and Crawley's directors will meet on Sunday to draw up a shortlist before beginning interviews next week.

Smith, who brought Vines to the club as a player during his first spell in charge, said: "People say Crawley is a big job which is right, but how will you know if Francis is good enough unless you give him a chance?

"I speak to Francis every day and I've been impressed with what he's done so far, to be honest he has done things I probably should have done when I was there.

"I would never have brought John Timlin in from the reserves but he did in his first game and by all accounts the boy did really well.

"The club aren't going to go up this season so perhaps they should have given Francis the job until the end of the season and seen how he'd got on."

Managing Director Steve Duly was expecting more interest in the job in the last 48 hours and says the quality of the applicants is 'high calibre.'

"There has been a whole range with experienced managers to ex-pros with coaching experience looking for an opportunity."

The favourite still appears to be Chris Kinnear, even though he is currently in charge of Conference outfit Margate.

I understand Kinnear already has supporters in the Crawley boardroom and he admitted this week that the club has "unbelievable potential."

He said: "Crawley has got just about everything. The club has unbelievable potential with a huge catchment area and good support base. My contract is up at the end of the season, but if Crawley wanted to speak to me it's up to Margate."

Vines faces his toughest test yet tomorrow against a Chippenham side beaten only twice in the league so far.

Barry Moore (hamstring) will need a fitness test.

Hastings United boss George Wakeling has been boosted by the return of Duncan McArthur for the trip to Chelmsford City tomorrow.

The former Brighton midfielder has completed a six-match ban given for remarks made to the referee during a game against Chelmsford City in September.

Ben Austin is poised to step in for suspended centreback John Price tomorrow when Eastbourne Borough entertain struggling Corby Town.

Price misses the game after totting up five bookings but Austin, who played a full game for the reserves in midweek, returns after a lengthy knee injury. Matt Crabb (thigh) and Dave Adams (hamstring) are unlikely to play.

Borough coach Nick Greenwood said: "This is another must-win home game for us as we try to keep the pressure on."