Boss Frank Wilson reckons his Tooting & Mitcham United players can still launch a serious challenge on the Ryman Division One South play-offs, but with one proviso.

The Terrors go to Walton Casuals this weekend on the back of their exit from the FA Trophy on Saturday, going down 2-1 at Tilbury.

Prior to the trophy distraction, they had won just once in five league games – including a 7-2 drubbing at Imperial Fields at the hands of Chatham Town.

However, that one win – 2-0 at Corinthian Casuals – came in their last league game and it left them 18th in the table.

Wilson has made a raft of changes to the XI who started the season, as well as replacing the departed assistant coach Mark Hams with former Godalming Town coach Paul Dale.

Departed Hams has Tooting & Mitcham United in his heart

The manager: “We are a new-look team now and with the balance we have and with huge improvements, we plan to climb the league table and compete for a play-off place.

“But we know that there is continuous hard work to be done, but our recent performances have shown the team we are becoming.”

He added: “We outclassed Corinthian Casuals in every department and they played very well, but they simply could not handle us with the improvements we had made.

“The FA Trophy defeat was a shame - we had new players cup tied and some suspended which meant we could not continue where we left off from Casuals.

“We dominated Tilbury on a boggy pitch and in very aggressive circumstances - their management and fans threatened the referee and officials, and sadly the referee was intimidated enough to swing every decision their way.

“I haven't experienced anything quite like what I witnessed on Saturday and it’s a shame it had to happen in a competition we valued and at a time where our changes have made such a huge impact.”

Despite that disappointment, and their lowly position in the league, Wilson is confident the only way is up for the Terrors.

“We are still only a few wins away from a play-off spot and with our new look side, I am confident we will start making a serious challenge,” he said.

“But it will only happen if the players continue to buy into the environment we are creating and keep working hard to produce consistent performances, which I am confident they will.”