Sheppey United moved back into the Isthmian South East play-off places with a thumping midweek win.

The Ites thrashed Littlehampton Town 6-0 on Tuesday night thanks to goals from Dan Bradhaw, Javaun Splatt (2), Frankie Morgan, Briggs Ojemen and an own-goal, a result that lifted them into the top five, for now occupying the final play-off place.

United are among a host of clubs chasing a coveted play-off spot and while the season is now four months old, who will be successful in chasing down a top-five finish remains just as hard to call as it was in August.

Manager Ernie Batten believes leaders Ramsgate and Cray Valley are likely to be scrapping it out for the one automatic promotion spot, which leaves the rest chasing the lottery of the play-offs.

Sheppey’s 3-0 home win over East Grinstead on Saturday - courtesy of a Bradshaw double and one for Splatt.

Batten, whose side are back on the road this Saturday against Lancing, said: “You couldn’t call it at the moment, could you? It goes to show the strength of the league.

“We played Burgess Hill last Tuesday night, we got a 0-0 and were quite fortunate, we didn’t play particularly well, and they were very good, yet they are below mid-table.

“I thought they were one of the best sides we’ve played this season, it is all on the day, you have to perform otherwise in this league you are likely to get punished.

“Anybody that goes on a five or six winning run, you are back in the play-offs. We are looking towards that and hopefully we can keep putting points on the board and staying in there.

“I think Ramsgate are overriding favourites but I wouldn’t rule out Cray Valley. They have a few games in hand, they are winning games, they have a good squad and Steve McKimm is doing a good job. He’s an experienced manager and with their resources I think they will be there as well.

“I think for me, it would be out of those two for the automatic spot and then I would imagine the candidates up there at the moment, the likes of Sevenoaks, Hythe, Three Bridges and Sittingbourne.

“They will be the sides in and around it plus two or three others, including ourselves and there are always surprise packages, someone goes on a run all of a sudden like Hythe did last year.”

Batten has looked to strengthen his squad in recent weeks with midfielder James Taylor, full-back Joe Ganiwa, Renford Tenyue and striker Splatt all joining.

He said: “I don’t know how far James Taylor ran (on Saturday) but he seemed to cover every blade of grass, exactly what I was looking to bring into that midfield.

“Ren gives us numbers and a bit of strength and cover at the back and young Joe Ganiwa has come in from my son’s side K Sports. He has a bit of potential, he has fitted in at right-back and looked comfortable at this level.

“Javaun Splatt is a work in progress, I think in the last couple of seasons he hasn’t settled anywhere, after some high hopes for him. He has to keep working hard.

“He got on the scoresheet (against East Grinstead and twice again on Tuesday) and for strikers it is all about confidence so hopefully he can take that forward and show his true potential.”