Matt Crabb has identified the arrival of Dan Smith and Ashley Barnes as the key to Eastbourne Borough’s remarkable turnaround in form.

Borough had gone five games without a goal against Blue Square premier opposition before Smith and Barnes signed on loan from Plymouth on deadline day.

Although they were unable to prevent a 2-0 defeat at Burton on their debuts Borough have since scored eight goals in their last two games.

The presence of the lively teenagers in attack seems to have rubbed off on Crabb in particular after he produced one of his best ever games in a Borough shirt in the sensational 4-2 victory over Torquay in midweek.

That is saying something for a player who has made almost 350 appearances over eight years for Borough but it highlights the extent of the impact the Arguyle duo have made at Priory Lane.

Crabb said: “The two new boys have come in and done a fabulous job for us and really got us going. You cannot ask for much more than eight goals in last two games.

“We were looking a bit stale and tired so it freshened things up and provided more competition for places.

“I wouldn’t say any of the lads were starting to doubt whether they were good enough for this level but you could see a few of them needed a rest because it is tough being a part-time team at this level.

“Everyone is back enjoying it and confidence is really high again. That is the major difference because confidence did take a knock when we went on that run of not scoring.

“You started thinking where the next goal would come from but now we are looking forward to every game because we know we are a threat going forward.”

Borough will be looking to continue their prolific streak at Swindon Supermarine in the FA Trophy tomorrow.

The club have not enjoyed much success in the competition in the past and, although survival in Blue Square premier remains the priority, Crabb is keen to improve on that record.

He added: “It is a bit of a shame we don’t have a league game this weekend because it would have been nice to build on our last two games but the Trophy is important too.

“I remember we played Farnborough a few years ago just before they took on Arsenal in the FA Cup but that’s about as good as it has got in the competition while I’ve been here.

“It is always nice to have a good cup run and you have only got to look at Ebbsfleet last year to see what it means. I would love the chance to run out at Wembley and I’m sure the other lads would too.

“We can’t be complacent though because Swindon are doing well in their league. It won’t be easy but we’ve just got to look to carry the momentum we’ve created in the last two games on.”

What has been even more impressive about Borough’s performances in the last two games is that they have done it without key players.

Jeff Goulding has yet to make an appearance since signing on loan from Bournemouth due to a hip problem while Danny Brown and Matt Smart were both sidelined on Tuesday night. Smart is definitely out tomorrow while Marc Pullan is also a doubt with a sore knee but Brown and Goulding are in contention to return to the squad.

Swindon go into the game on a run almost as good as Torquay’s before their humbling at Priory Lane. They are currently second in the BGB premier division table, two levels below Borough, with one defeat in their last 15 games.