Tonbridge will secure a Ryman League, Premier Division play-off place if they beat Merstham in their final home game on Saturday.

But they will have to do it without striker Tommy Whitnell, who fractured both his cheekbone and eye socket in the 2-2 draw with Billericay last weekend as Angels missed their first chance to clinch a top-five finish.

Nathan Elder and Tom Parkinson drew Tonbridge level after trailing 2-0 at half-time but they couldn’t force a winner and were made to wait another week.

Boss Steve McKimm said: “Fingers crossed, we get over the line this weekend.

“The way results went last Saturday, we could have got it done then but it didn’t happen. We just need that one win to make sure we’re there and if we get that, it looks as though we will finish fourth.

“We’ve got our end-of-season presentation after the game and if we’re in the play-offs, we’ll be celebrating because it’s an achievement after where we finished last season."

Whitnell, already due to have ankle surgery after the final league game, is out after taking an accidental kick to the face against Billericay.

McKimm said: “I might expect a centre-half to put his head in like that but Whits is a forward. He chased back 80 yards, put his head in where it hurts to cut out an opportunity and the bloke didn’t see him.

“He’ll have an operation and the good news is he can still have the ankle operation and be back for the start of next season.”