A frustrating period has presented one major positive for Faversham manager Tommy Warrilow.

Town haven’t been in Southern Counties East Premier Division action since a 2-0 win at struggling Stansfeld last Tuesday, with a scheduled midweek trip to Tunbridge Wells called off due to a waterlogged pitch after another fixture-free weekend.

The fourth-placed Lilywhites are meant to be at Erith Town this Saturday - although the Dockers play on a grass surface, so that match could also be off - before being due to visit Holmesdale on Tuesday.

But a period of two matches since February 24 means the number of teams also in the promotion picture with multiple games in hand on Town now sits at five - much less than had previously been the case.

“The league is now a lot more realistic,” said Warrilow.

“Everyone said, when we came in, that we were second - but I was saying ‘We’re not really second because all these teams have got games in hand’ and, until they start playing those games in hand, we were always going to be fourth, fifth or around that sort of area.

“Now, they have done that. Corinthian have caught up with us and there’s a six-point gap, and we have got to play them.

“Glebe have opened up a gap but we have games in hand. That gap can be whittled down to three points.

“It’s tightened up again now. That’s the only plus for me.

“The only one we don’t know about, obviously, is Deal. Some might have a couple of games in hand still - but at least it’s not loads of games now. Everyone has sort of caught up.

“It’s going to be tight and anyone that didn’t think it would be like this, I don’t know what they were thinking. It was a very false position we were in, walking through the door.

“I know it’s great being second, I know it’s great having the points, but anyone can beat anyone in this league.

“You’re talking going down to 11th are having a go for the play-offs, and rightly so.”

Warrilow thinks the competitive nature of the division with the four-team play-off system introduced this term means less players are switching sides for the season run-in.

He added: “Normally, you hear of clubs that say ‘We can’t win anything this year’ or ‘We’re safe’ - let’s cut the budget and plan for next season. I don’t know of a club that’s done that.

“Everyone is thinking they could get sucked into a relegation battle or thinking ‘We could gatecrash the play-offs here’.

“Normally, you can nick players because some clubs cut their dough. But, at the moment, clubs aren’t doing that.

“That’s not just in our league. If you go to the leagues above, I think it’s the same.

“Everyone has got something to play for.”

Faversham have only played once so far in March. Warrilow still thinks it can be a key month, though, with at least three more matches to play.

“It still can be an important month,” Warrilow said.

“We have got Saturday-to-Tuesday-to-Saturday coming up. The Tunbridge Wells game will be rearranged.

“So, we still should have the games coming in thick and fast.”

Four points separate Faversham and Erith Town, the Dockers with two games in hand. They have also reached the Kent Senior Trophy and Southern Counties East Challenge Cup Finals under Adam Woodward and Warrilow, who watched their 3-1 weekend win at Hollands & Blair, praised the work their manager has done.

He said: “If they win their games in hand, they go above us by a point.

“They were another of the teams that was always going to be in the play-off mix. They have been together for a while - a bit like Deal.

“The nucleus has been together for a long time and they have just been touching it up with a couple of players.

“They know what they’re doing because they know each others’ habits, their shape and their pattern of play.

“Again, they have had a really good season and they have two Cup Finals, as well.

“Woody has done a fantastic job. I’m pleased for him. I think he’s a good lad and good people deserve good things. It’s very hard to keep a football team together.

“Chairmen and other people at football clubs shouldn’t take that for granted. It’s no surprise that they’re doing as well as they are because that’s a key ingredient to it.

“Hopefully, we can get that installed at Faversham.”

Faversham plan to mark Non-League Day in style next Saturday.

Discounted rates will be on offer for the game with Rusthall (3pm), kicking off after tenants Faversham Strike Force host Rochester (11am).