Bridgwater says Kettering Town 'need to bounce back' as they host mid-table Leiston

The Poppies have slipped out of the play-off places over the weekend following their last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Bromsgrove Sporting last Tuesday, and they are now a huge 12 points behind leaders Real Bedford and the sole automatic promotion spot.

Kettering sat out league action on Saturday, instead progressing to the semi-finals of the NFA Hillier Senior Cup with a penalty shootout win over ON Chenecks after the sides were tied at 2-2 after 90 minutes.

Bridgwater and fellow boss Nick Green fielded a mix and match side against Chenecks, with several key first team players sitting the match out to ensure they are ready to go against Leiston.

And Bridgwater is now challenging his team to respond in a positive manner following their second league defeat of the season at Bromsgrove.

"The lads that weren't involved on Saturday, they had a training session with me before the game on Saturday," Bridgwater told @KTFCOfficial.

"We had an hour and 15, hour and 20, and we worked them hard, put them through their paces so they're ready.

"Everybody is ready to go on Tuesday.

"Leiston lost in the FA Cup on Saturday and it was a tough game they had.

"But we are going to have to be at it on Tuesday and we need to bounce back really.

"We need to get some more points on the board, so our target and our aim on Tuesday is to get the three points."

Leiston are currently 14th in the table, seven points adrift of the eighth-placed Poppies.

They were beaten 3-0 at home by Guisely in the FA Cup on Saturday, and will arrive at Latimer Park having won just one of their six away league games this season.

With Alvechurch not in action on Tuesday, a win for Kettering will see them climb back into the play-off places.