Tuesday night's Dr Martens League Cup clash between Crawley Town and Hastings pits two close friends against each other.

Reds boss Billy Smith and his Hastings counterpart George Wakeling are the best of friends and go back more than 30 years together. But friendship goes out of the window as the two managers attempt to plot a way through to the last 16.

Smith said: "George is an old buddy. We used to play on Sunday mornings together in South London and our careers have led identical paths. George played for the likes of Horsham, while I was with the Dagenhams of this world. He's been managing teams such as Leyton Wingate and Hastings, while I've been in charge of sides like Dulwich Hamlet and Crawley.

"We go and watch lots of matches together and always pick each other's brains. That's why we know how each other play. George will have two central back markers and a sweeper spare, He always plays that way.

"One thing is for sure: George's team will give us a game. You always know you've had a match when George is against you."

Wakeling, who took charge of Hastings in October, is keen to put one over his old mate, but admits Hastings' priorities do not lay in the Dr Martens League Cup.

He said: "Billy does change things around a bit, so once I see the teamsheet I'll know exactly the way he'll play it. But we've got to concentrate on our game.

"It is another match and this competition is always one low down on the priority list. The FA Cup and Trophy are always at the top, along with the league, but Billy will field his full first team."

Meanwhile Smith is in no hurry to find a new marksman -especially when he might have one right under his nose.

Young prolific reserve striker Alan Tait has been scoring goals for fun and on Tuesday made his first team debut in the 3-0 Sussex Senior Cup win against Hailsham.

Smith admitted: "I'm wondering whether it's a good idea to bring someone in when we might have someone here already at the club."

LEFT-winger Danny Fletcher has signed a contract with St Leonards until the end of next season. He becomes the second player to sign a deal with Saints in a week.

Goalscoring sensation Dominic Barclay committed himself to St Leonards until the end of the season.