Ilford manager Kevin Lucas and Paul Oshin (Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO)

Foxes facing long midweek journey

Ilford boss Kevin Lucas takes his side on the long trip to Ryman Division One North rivals Needham Market tonight (Wednesday).

And the Foxes chief revealed he is unable to take a full squad for the fixture.

He said: “It causes a problem being so far away so we haven’t got a full squad.

“It’s a familiar story, but we will go and try to give a good account of ourselves.”

Ilford were left empty-handed after a 3-1 home defeat against Soham on Saturday.

Daniel Crowie cancelled out the visitors opener, but Paul Oshin was dismissed for two bookable offences in the second half and Soham regained the lead from the penalty spot.

Warren Mfulu hit a post before Soham added a third and Lucas hopes his side take heart from their battling display, as they look to climb off the bottom of the table.

He added: “For the work we put in, Saturday was a disappointing result. But a draw tonight gets us off the bottom, which is important psychologically.

“Needham have won their last two home games and have got backing, with a new manager coming in on a four-year contract, which tells you what we’re up against.

“But we haven’t got anything to lose, but three points. They have got everything to lose against us.”