Tonbridge and Ebbsfleet clash at Longmead tonight in a Kent derby which could have big implications at both ends of Skrill South.

Victory for the Fleet would move them up a place to third and put more pressure on leaders Bromley and second-placed Eastleigh, who have both been faltering lately.

And it's an equally important game for Tonbridge, who will climb out of the relegation zone if they can upset their north Kent visitors.

Ebbsfleet boss Steve Brown knows his side's title hopes, however slim, are still alive.

He said: "We’ll try to get three points at Tonbridge on Tuesday. Let’s see where that takes us. If (the top two) keep dropping points, it will get a bit nervy. But they do have a substantial lead, the pair of them.

"Sutton (in third) have closed the gap and they’re on a hell of a run, better than ours. You just have to keep doing one game at a time and seeing if you can add pressure onto the guys above.

"It’ll certainly help that they’re feeling a bit of pressure and that we’re nicking up behind them, that’s for sure."

Tommy Warrilow's Angels have been a model of unpredictability this season, beating title favourites Eastleigh home and away but struggling to take points off the sides around them.

Brown said: "I consider myself a good friend of Tommy’s and it’s been a tough season for him. He does have restraints in terms of what he can bring in and the budget that he has. At times, they get it right and they’re a really good, exciting side, and at other times, they get it wrong.

"But he’s a good manager, Tom, he gets the best out of the players that he has. He has to wheel and deal like you can’t believe and that, at times, does make them what they are. They’re unpredictable because they’ve got to get three (players) out, one week, and three in the next."

Ebbsfleet laboured to a 1-0 win over lowly Hayes & Yeading on Saturday and Brown called on the Fleet fans to help get them over the line at Longmead.

He said: "It’s at the times when you’re not performing quite to your best when you need those supporters more than ever.

"They’ve been terrific, but with 10 or 11 games to go, it would be lovely if they came in numbers and just got behind the lads. It makes a difference.

"If there’s positive energy from the stands, that feeds out onto the pitch, to the players."

Centre-back Paul Lorraine could return for Ebbsfleet after missing the Hayes game with an ankle injury, but striker Ben May (hamstring) is still out.