THE only predictable thing about Thurrock this season has been their unpredictability.

Small wonder then that Paul Doswell's nerves are in shreds ahead of Eastleigh's titanic Blue Square South finale at Ship Lane on Saturday.

The fifth-placed Spitfires are one of five teams battling it out for one of the two remaining play-off positions and will travel to Essex knowing that victory will definitely take them through and a draw could be good enough depending on results elsewhere.

But, although Thurrock themselves have nothing to play for in 12th place, the ease of their 4-1 victory away at Eastleigh's play-off rivals Newport County on Monday shows just what a dangerous animal they are.

"You'd have thought Thurrock would have the beach towels and sun cream out by now and yet they're one of the form sides in the league," marvelled Eastleigh's assistant manager Doswell.

"Beating Newport 4-1 is an astonishing result, but Thurrock can do that. This is a side that lost 8-1 at Bromley over Christmas and then beat Bromley 2-1 at home the following week.

"They've got decent, young players who, on their day, are as good as anyone in this league - especially in wide areas - and I can honestly say that going to Thurrock on Saturday will be as hard a game as we've had all season.

Full story in today's Daily Echo