Just one league win in seven has stalled Leiston’s hopes of a play-off place. They sit in ninth position and are not out of it yet. However, there is work to do. Yet, coupled with a Suffolk Premier Cup final appearance next week against Felixstowe & Walton at Needham Market, Johnson says there is much to be excited about.

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“Yes, the play-offs are getting tougher to get into, but we are definitely not out of it yet,” he said.

“We’ve seen in this league how things can suddenly chop and change. We still have a few games to go, and ones you look at and think they’re winnable games.

“After the back-to-back Sudbury games everyone was on a bit of a high, but the results the last couple of weeks haven’t gone the way we would have liked them to go.

“We’re still feeling positive. We’ve struggled a bit with injuries and obviously the departure of Jamar (Loza). But we still have such a strong squad with even a couple of the younger guys stepping up and in.

“So, we’re still confident we’re going to push on for an exciting end of season.”

The Blues entertain Banbury on Saturday at the Watson & Hillhouse Stadium, then have the Premier Cup final next Wednesday (9th).

Johnson is looking forward to both games and says the fans can play their part.

“As regards Banbury, we take every game one at a time, but we want to bounce back with a win and get a run of form going again,” Johnson said.

“The Premier Cup final I’m looking forward to, it’s something I haven’t been part of before. It would be great to finish with a bit of silverware.

“The fans can play their part. We really noticed them on Saturday, even when things weren’t going our way. We heard them there, felt them. The team always appreciates the fans being there for us.”