Sittingbourne boss Joe Dowley wants his side to use their next three games to keep themselves out of relegation trouble.

Following the withdrawal of Croydon Athletic from the league and after three weeks without a game, Bourne find themselves fourth bottom in Ryman League, Division 1 South after a run of six defeats in seven up to their last outing on January 28.

Bourne visit Crawley Down, who sit one place above them in 17th, on Saturday looking to extend their six-point gap over second-bottom Whitstable who sit in the drop zone.

Three days later, Corinthian Casuals – five points ahead of the Brickies – come to Bourne Park while rock-bottom Whyteleafe are the visitors the following Saturday.

Dowley said: "I had a chat with (assistant boss) Bradley Spice and we spoke about how the next three games are important for us.

"It’s going to be difficult but we need points from all of them because they are against teams down there with us.

"I’d probably take six points from the three, that should pull us away from any trouble at the bottom. Nobody is sure what’s going to happen in terms of relegation at the end of the season but the best way to deal with it is make sure you’re not down there.

"We want to give ourselves a cushion now because we have a hard run-in to come."