DANNY Cowley believes Concord Rangers’ end to the season could not be tougher as they look to crown a stellar year with a place in the play-offs.

The Beach Boys sit one point outside the top five with only five league matches remaining, and have an Essex Senior Cup final date to look forward to this month.

And with the final three of those games against the three sides currently occupying the bottom three spots in the division, Concord are being touted as one of the favourites to make it into the play-offs.

It comes after an incredible run that has seen them go 13 matches unbeaten in the Conference South, in only their second season in the division since winning promotion from the Ryman Premier Division through the play-offs in 2012/13.

But Cowley says the final three games against Staines Town, Hayes & Yeading and Farnborough will be Concord’s toughest games of the season, if they are still in the hunt.

“We have big games against Eastbourne Borough and Hemel Hempstead Town before the end of the season and we have to make sure we give ourselves a chance heading into the last three games,” said Cowley.

“But if we are still in with a shout those will be the hardest games of the season for us. The teams in the bottom three are all big Conference South clubs and we are the smallest club to ever play in this league. So the fact we are doing what we are doing is a credit to the players in the dressing room.”

Concord beat Ebbsfleet United on Saturday thanks to Taylor Miles’ second minute free-kick, their first win over Fleet since promotion two seasons ago, and the Beach Boys will be attempting a similar feat on Saturday.

Concord have failed to beat Eastbourne in three previous attempts, losing 3-1 earlier in the season at the Aspect Arena.

Borough have also not conceded a goal in 400 minutes of football, although it looks as though a play-off place is beyond them, as they are 10 points off fifth.

“Eastbourne are a great side,” said Cowley. “They showed that here earlier in the season and we know going there will be extremely hard. But we know we are close to something very special and we have to focus on that.”