Paul Palmer believes he has all the right credential to keep AFC Hayes up after guiding North Greenford United away from the trapdoor last season.

Palmer took over in the Farm Park hot seat last week following Ian Crane's departure, taking charge of a side rock bottom of the Southern League Central with just two wins all season.

The size of task was made all the more evident with a 4-0 defeat at Egham in his first game on New Year's Day, but Palmer is used to scrapping at the bottom.

He took the reins at North Greenford last February after Neil Shipperley left, but was sacked in September despite keeping them up and being responsible for two of only five wins United have enjoyed this season.

Departed: Ian Crane quit as AFC Hayes boss last month

Palmer said: “It's a dog fight down there and you have to roll your sleeves up and grind out results. It's easy enough when you're Kettering and have the cash to spend, but I have to call favours in, which is what I did at North Greenford.

“I will be doing the same here, bringing in players I know and trust to dig us out of it. But there are a few here already we can definitely work with too. Jake Cass, for example, is an outstanding player at this level.

“There is never any guarantee, but I am confident I can keep Hayes up, otherwise I wouldn't be doing the job. But I've done it with North Greenford, and I believe I can do it here.”

By chance, North Greenford are the team immediately above AFC in the table, with Palmer's new club only three points behind his former one, who sit second bottom.

Tough ask: Can AFC Hayes (in blue and white) stay up?

He added: “I didn't see eye to eye with some people there and I feel I was harshly treated, especially after we beat Bedworth and Hanwell at the start of the season.

“I don't hold any grudges, but there is definitely a point to prove. I wish North Greenford all the best, but if I have to send them down to keep Hayes up, that's just football.”

Palmer will be hoping to reproduce the performance his North Greenford side put in against high flying Hanwell back in September when he takes his new club to Reynolds Field on Saturday.

All of last weekend's games involving our sides were wiped out in the division, but Uxbridge and Northwood were due to be back in action tonight, away at Leighton and at home to Bedford respectively. This weekend, Uxbridge visit Rugby while Northwood are at Godalming.