NICK GREENWOOD insists his Eastbourne Borough players deserve special credit as they continue to defy the odds.

Borough remain one of the few part-time clubs in a league dominated by some big-spenders.

They go into tonight’s game at Stevenage 12th in the table and above a number of full-time outfits including Wrexham, Crawley, Barrow, Grays, Ebbsfleet, Chester and Kidderminster, who they beat 2-0 at the Aggborough Stadium on Saturday.

Head coach Greenwood says they will be doing their best to repeat Saturday’s heroics but has outlined the task they face against FA Trophy holders Stevenage.

Greenwood said: “The difference between the sides says a lot. Stevenage, who are full-time, had a day off on Saturday because Wrexham had players on international duty.

“Eastbourne, who are part-time, played at Kidderminster and everybody was back at work on Monday. It is not quite a level playing field.

“I don’t think there is another league in the world where there is such a disparity in the preparation of the teams, such a difference between the resources and finances.

“Kidderminster worked all week to try to beat us and we had a one-hour training session on Thursday.

“You have to take your hats off to the players who have work and family to deal with as well as trying to match full-time counterparts.

“Credit to the players for digging in and tonight will be exactly the same. I am sure Stevenage will be in for a tough game.”

What made Saturday’s victory all the more special was that Borough were missing four key players while centre-back Marc Pullan went into the game as an injury doubt with a calf problem.

Skipper Paul Armstrong (bruised hip), Matt Smart (ankle) and Neil Jenkins (hamstring) are battling to be fit but all three remain highly doubtful for tonight’s game.

Goalkeeper Danny Knowles is available again after serving a one-match ban for his red card against Ebbsfleet last Monday, which gives Greenwood and boss Garry Wilson a dilemma.

Michael Jordan, who has played second fiddle to Knowles this season, produced an assured display at Kidderminster on Saturday to stake his claim for a permanent run in the team.

Greenwood knows a tough choice lies ahead. He said: “They have done what we expected them to do which is make it difficult for Garry and I.

“When Danny left the pitch last Monday it was on the back of having played well in the first half and he saved a penalty, while Michael Jordan is on the back of an excellent performance against Kidderminster on Saturday. It will be a difficult decision to make but it is a nice decision to have to make.”

Stevenage’s squad includes former Eastbourne Borough player Yemi Odubade. They have injury doubts over a number of players including former Crawley goalkeeper Ashley Bayes, ex-Lewes winger Andy Drury, Charlie Griffin, David Bridges and Darren Murphy.

Peter Vincenti is serving a one-match suspension while fellow midfielder Lawrie Wilson is out with a broken leg.

Eastbourne Borough: Jordan, Knowles, Austin, Pullan, Elphick, Baker, N.Crabb, Weatherstone, Brown, M.Crabb, Atkin, Taylor, Enver-Marum, Smith, Johnson, Hurley, Armstrong, Smar, Jenkins.

Stevenage: Day, Henry, Albrighton, Roberts, Ashton, Laird, Byrom, Bostwick, Boylan, Cole, Odubade, Beardsley, Anaclet, Rayner, Long, Drury, Griffin, Murphy, Bridges.