Tommy Widdrington believes Eastbourne Borough can continue surprising people in Conference south.

Borough have been battling it out at the wrong end of the table for the last two years but have made a flying start to the current season by taking maximum points from their opening two games.

Few, if any, tipped them to challenge for promotion this season and Widdrington admits he is happy if his side continue to be under-estimated by their rivals.

Widdrington said: “I think people forget that we only lost one game in the last seven last season and have just started where we left off.

“We had a positive pre-season too and so it hasn’t surprised me the way we have started.

“Nobody is taking much notice of us at the moment and that is fine.

“We’ll just try to carry on what we have been doing and if we can creep under the radar a little bit that is even better.”

Borough have not won their opening three games of the season since being promoted to the Football Conference ten years ago but can put that record straight when they take on Ebbsfleet United at Priory Lane today.

They maintained their 100% record in midweek thanks to Simon Johnson’s injury time winner against Tonbridge Angels but Widdrington knows they will have their work cut out against Ebbsfleet.

He added: “They were tipped by many as favourites for the title at the start of the season and I would go along with that.

“But we are full of confidence at the moment and will relish the challenge.”

Defender Ollie Rowe serves the final game of his three-match ban while striker Tony Garrod is still ruled out with a hamstring injury but might be available for Monday’s trip to Hayes and Yeading.

Australian full-back James Stinson and Polish goalkeeper Mateusz Szafranski are still awaiting international clearance.

Widdrington also revealed he has two free agents currently training with the side but has made no decision on whether to sign them yet.

Assistant manager Ross Standen insists it is important Whitehawk stick together after a losing start to their campaign.

Boss Darren Freeman was unhappy with his side’s display after a 3-0 opening day loss to Maidenhead.

And his mood probably did not improve in midweek when Hawks went 3-0 behind inside 25 minutes at Bromley before suffering a 4-0 defeat.

Standen said: “We just need to regroup and stick together.

“We know we will be all right.”

Whitehawk gave themselves a mountain to climb after conceding three goals from corners in the first half.