Crawley are riding high at the top of the Dr Martens Premier, but you won't find Billy Smith paying too much attention to the league table.

Tuesday's 2-0 home win over Newport IOW meant only Havant & Water-looville were above Reds ahead of this afternoon's tricky test against Tamworth.

The Crawley manager is happy with his side's early form and so are the fans with average crowds up more than 150 on this stage last season.

But Reds made a similar start last year and were top after six wins in their first nine games. Then they lost form, suffered badly with injuries and finished mid-table.

The feeling 12 months on is that Crawley might be able to sustain their challenge in what is already shaping up to be one of the most open title races in years. The quote of 16-1 from one book-maker on a Crawley championship looks like quite tasty odds.

For starters Smith's squad has much more depth. In fact, seasoned Crawley watchers reckon it's their strongest since the days when a succession of managers were able to spend the proceeds of FA Cup runs, not always wisely as it turned out.

By the end of the month Smith should have everyone available for selection. Matt Woolf began his comeback from a broken leg by having a brief run out for the reserves today and Barrie Westgate is only a fortnight away from action as he recovers from a broken arm.

Such is the strength in depth up front he has allowed Dean Words-worth, who scored 16 goals last season, to go on loan to Ryman League Uxbridge in a bid to find his fitness.

Robbie Collins and Steve Sargent, who have made important contri-butions as substitutes in the first few weeks, were back in the reserves today to improve their sharpness, allowing Steve Restarick a spot on the bench.

And skipper Luke Anderson returned to duty at Tamworth after missing the first six games because of his involvement in the World Student Games.

Smith said: "My feeling is that I have got a better squad than last season, but that doesn't guarantee you success.

"I'm not one for looking at the league table so early. Show me it again when we've played 37 games and if we're second then I might talk about winning titles.

"But if we can keep everyone fit then we do have a much better chance of staying up there. The league is still settling down, a couple of sides - King's Lynn and Worcester - made late runs last season and I can see that happening again, but I don't think there will be anybody as defensively solid as Margate were."

With goalkeeper Andy Little ruled out of Tuesday's home match against Bath after he was sent off against Chelmsford a fortnight ago, Smith has signed Crystal Palace youth-teamer Gary Hateley as cover.

Midfielder Jimmy Dack will be hoping to find the net again after he opened his account in his second spell for the club in midweek.

The 29-year-old was suspended for the first three games but now feels he can play his part in a promotion challenge.

"You need strength in depth in this league to get out of it and that's what we've got," he said. "It's hard to get out of, as all leagues are, but the team spirit is excellent and Billy knows what's needed."