Mark Burt signed up for another season as Worthing captain, then declared: "They would have to rip the armband off me if they wanted a new skipper."

Boss Sammy Donnelly is planning changes for next season but had no hesitation in asking his battling midfielder to remain as his on field leader.

Burt, 33, said: "I was never going to give it in. We have really underachieved this season. That is why I am so anxious to give it another go.

"I can't put my finger on what's gone wrong. We started the season like a train but then we got the bad weather, which didn't help.

"You lose your consistency when you are only playing once every two or three weeks. But we can't just blame that."

Burt insists the renowned Worthing team spirit is alive and kicking but would like to see the squad freshened up.

He added: "The spirit has never been lacking. We've got the nucleus of a good side but maybe we need to add a bit of youth because a few of us are getting on."

Burt misses Rebels' last three games of the season due to suspension.

The campaign ends next Saturday with a visit from Thame.

The Oxfordshire side are likely to need a result to clinch promotion but Donnelly said: "I am definitely looking to end on a high by beating them."

Meanwhile, Lewes are playing through the pain barrier in an attempt to wrap up promotion from Ryman Division Three.

Ahead of today's match with Aveley, the Rooks needed six points from the remaining five games to be sure of going up.

But manager Jimmy Quinn has revealed most of the squad are struggling with minor ailments following an horrendous run of games.

The situation will not be helped by a run-in of four matches in six days starting with Monday's trip to Croydon Athletic.

Quinn said: "Quite a few of them have got strains and knocks but they don't say anything. They just get on with it.

"We need six points and then Corinthian Casuals cannot catch us."