Billy Smith has conceded Tamworth are now Crawley's main rivals for a Conference spot.

The Lambs reeled off their sixth successive league win on Tuesday when they struck an 88th-minute winner at home to Stafford Rangers to go a point clear.

The three points meant Crawley were knocked off the top of the Dr Martens League Premier Division for the first time since October 27.

But the three pacesetters are seperated by just two points so it could be all change again this weekend.

Tamworth and third-place Kettering still have a game in hand and the three rivals are all in action this Tuesday when Tamworth go to Tiverton, Kettering visit King's Lynn and Reds entertain Folkestone Invicta.

Smith said: "As it stands Tamworth are the form side. They are on a good run while Kettering's away form still lets them down a bit. But by the end of Tuesday we could be sitting with a four point lead again."

Reds aim to avenge an early season defeat when Tamworth visit Sussex on March 16, but Smith is well aware that the title is not likely to be decided until the last week of the campaign.

"The top three have been there or thereabouts all season and I can't see that changing," he said. "But there is still a third of the season to play and in the next month we've got seven league games.

"We've worked hard to get where we are and we would be quite happy to sit in second and then overtake Tamworth on the final day of the season."

After a two-week break Smith's men headed to Merthyr Tydfil today with new signing Younis Nabil making his debut.

All of a sudden Crawley's squad is starting to look a little threadbare.

Work commitments have ruled out top scorer Danny Carroll and Nigel Brake for the next two games while injuries to Ben Abbey and Steve Restarick (both groin) and Ian Payne (hamstring) have also weakened Smith's hand.

Defender Marc Pullan is still some way off his comeback and Warren Bagnall continues to play despite a groin problem which has plagued him for the past three months.

Nabil, 30, has signed for a month from Ryman League St Albans and Smith is considering making another loan signing.

"Even with the injuries and other problems we still have a strong squad, but if the injury situation doesn't improve I might have to go out and make another signing," he said.

"We're still a good side, but you would like all your best available players for the most important part of the season."

Meanwhile Crawley reserves continued their remorseless march towards the Suburban League title with two more wins last weekend.

The side managed by Francis Vines have dropped just four points in 21 games and Smith watched Monday's 2-1 win over Fleet when defender Matt Ottley and Vines himself impressed.

Smith added: "If the injuries didn't improve an option could be to use Francis on the bench. He's still a big threat in the air in the same way Jon Warden was for me a couple of seasons ago."