SLOUGH Town joint-boss Neil Baker has warned against complacency ahead of tomorrow’s clash at National League South basement boys East Thurrock (Saturday, 3pm ko).

In-form Rebels head to Essex ninth in the table and unbeaten in three matches including a 0-0 home draw with full-time Torquay United last weekend.

In stark contrast, East Thurrock have had a shocking start and have lost all five league games to leave them bottom.

However, Baker knows they are a better side than results suggest and will be boosted by the return of prolific striker, Sam Higgins, tomorrow.

He told the Observer: “We have a tough Bank Holiday ahead.

“People may look at it and see East Thurrock have lost all five of their games and are bottom of the table, but that doesn’t tell the full story.

“Four of those games were lost by the odd goal and two of them in injury time.

“They have also been missing Sam Higgins through injury and he is a quality striker.

“He was top scorer in the league last season and I believe he is back this Saturday.

“We’re going to have to watch him carefully and we will be taking nothing for granted.”

Rebels have no fresh injury concerns ahead of tomorrow’s clash, though George Wells could be missing as his partner is due to give birth.

Slough Observer:

Slough Town (yellow) launch an attack against Torquay United.

And Baker admits a healthy squad could be crucial over the coming days, with Dulwich Hamlet set to visit Arbour Park on Monday (3pm ko).

He added: “Dulwich will be another tough one. We’ll be looking to utilise our squad to stay as fresh as possible.”

Slough followed up wins against Gloucester City and Weston-super-Mare with a hard-fought point against Torquay on Saturday.

But it could have been even better for the Rebels as Simon Dunn saw a penalty saved in a dramatic finish.

“A draw was probably a fair result,” admitted Baker. “We were the better side in the first half, but they had two clear chances after that and we had to be thankful to Jack Turner for making a couple of important saves.

“Saying that, when you miss a penalty in the last few minutes you are disappointed not to get all three points.

“A win would have been amazing, but it’s another point on the board and a first clean sheet so we’re pleased.

“We have to remember we were up against a full-time Torquay team and we more than matched them.”

He continued: “We’ve only conceded four goals in five games which is fantastic.

“We don’t have full-time players but we’re a fit group, fitness isn’t a problem. We kept going in the last 15 minutes when you might expect us to tire, but we didn’t. If anything we finished the stronger side.

“The crowd were fantastic, it was a great day, but a win would have been nice.”

  • l For more Slough Town FC news and pictures see today's Observer.