Eastbourne Borough will have to overcome the odds if they are to make a late push for the play-offs.

That is the view of veteran defender Darren Baker as Borough begin a nightmare schedule of ten games in 25 days when they travel to struggling Dorchester tonight.

Borough currently sit nine points outside the top five with two games in hand on the majority of their rivals and Baker knows their small squad will be stretched to the limit as they try to close that gap.

The hectic run-in has been caused by problems with the Priory Lane pitch earlier in the season and climaxes with four games inside a week at the end of April.

Baker, 32, admits he has never experienced such a demanding month during the 15 years he has been at Priory Lane and fears it might scupper their chances of making the play-offs.

He said: "We've had seasons before where we have had quite a few games at the end but this year seems to be a bit of an exception.

"It makes it very difficult because when you are playing three games a week it means that a little knock might keep you out for three or four games rather than just one.

"We cannot really afford that with the size of our squad so it is definitely going to affect our chances. We are still in with a shout but the odds are stacked against us.

"It reminds me a little of two years ago when we made the playoff final after a mad run-in (five games in 11 days). If you are doing well and the confidence is high it doesn't matter so much if you have got lots of games, so hopefully that will be the case again.

"The form and confidence within the squad is really good at the moment and if it wasn't for the fact we have so many games coming up we'd fancy our chances. We all believe we can do it but it is going to be tough."

Borough have remained on the fringes of the playoffs thanks to an 11-match unbeaten run but the fact every win has been followed by a draw has prevented them closing in on the top five.

They slipped further off the pace on Saturday when, amazingly considering their circumstances, they had a free weekend and five out of the eight teams above them won.

Baker knows they must achieve back-to-back wins for the first time since August against a Dorchester side who have not won for six games tonight if they are to maintain their challenge.

He added: "We are on a good run but we have got to start turning draws into wins to stand a chance. It's going to be difficult because we have got lots of away games and that puts even more strain on the players.

"We've all got jobs so a lot of the lads have to take days off to get to games and then it is hard going into work the following day when you have got back late the night before.

"You've then got to try to get yourself ready for another game in a couple of days so there is no let up. It is only for a month, though, so we've just got to grit our teeth and get on with it."

Borough's chances have been further hit by the news winger Matt Crabb will miss the rest of the season after a scan on his injured leg revealed a fracture. Midfielder Matt Smart also faces at least two weeks on the sidelines with a severely bruised metatarsal.

Boss Garry Wilson said: "It's a big blow to lose Crabby but we're hoping Matt (Smart) might be back in a couple of weeks."