Chris Wilder believes that, with just one automatic place up for grabs, the Conference is the toughest league to get out of.

Asked whether, having spent the first half of this season with Bury in League Two, he found much difference between the League’s bottom tier and the top half of the Blue Square Premier, Wilder said: “There is a difference.

“But if you’re organised and clued in, as the manager (Alan Knill) was, you can go a long way.

“He got the best out of players on a limited budget and has turned them around from being a bottom five or bottom six club over the past four or five years into one challenging to get out of the league.

“At Bury, we were always in and around the top seven, which was fantastic for supporters and everyone . . . when you see Sky Sports and the BBC come on and you’re in that top bracket.

“As people say, the Conference is the hardest league to get out of. But in this league, as Doncaster, Yeovil and the better teams have shown, if you get on a roll, it is possible to jump out of this league and jump again.

“Momentum’s a big thing, and from season to season as well.”

Supporters haven't seen the best of Damien Batt yet, believes manager Chris Wilder.

The right back has been finding his feet at his new club, and has proved solid.

“But he has good attacking ability, says the U's boss.

"I think Damien will get better with each game he plays," he said. "He can get forward a lot more, but he's got to make sure he takes care of his defensive responsibilities, as has Chris Carruthers."

Batt played his part when Grays came from a goal down to beat tomorrow’s opponents Barrow 2-1 just before Christmas.

Former Oxford United left back Matt Robinson has joined Southern League AFC Totton from Salisbury City.

His new life in the police force had made it difficult to be available for every Salisbury game, which had caused him to lose his first-team place.