ROB Small has called on his Bowers & Pitsea side not to end their title-winning campaign on a whimper.

Bowers welcome Tilbury to the Len Salmon Stadium for the final encounter of the Isthmian North season.

But the champions have suffered two consecutive defeats - against Heybridge Swifts and Great Wakering Rovers - in the last week and Small wants to celebrate a season to remember by recording a 29th league win.

The Bowers boss said: “We had only lost two in the league all season before last week.

“We have now doubled that number and, by conceding four goals in those two games, we have increased the amount of goals we have conceded by 20 per cent.

“It’s important to finish the season with a good performance, especially for our supporters.

“Our supporters travelled down to Wakering in their numbers on Monday and it’s very unusual for us not to give them a performance to be proud of.

“I think we let them down with our performance at Wakering and so I’m hoping for a bit of a reaction.

“We still have the best defensive record in the country from steps one to four.

“We’ve conceded 24 goals and our nearest challengers for that record is Peterborough Sports, who have conceded 25, so hopefully we will keep a clean sheet to make sure we're top of the charts.”

Bowers have picked up just three points from nine on offer since clinching the title.

And Small admits his side have taken their foot off the gas.

“The last two games have been underwhelming,” added Small.

“We made a lot of changes to the side at Wakering because we felt like some of the players deserved an opportunity.

“We wasn’t happy with our intensity against Heybridge and that was disappointing.

“I thought the players coming in would be hungry at Wakering but it wasn’t to be and Wakering deserved the three points.

“Subconsciously, the players are probably ready for the season to end because we have approached each game with such intensity.

“When you win the league and the job is done before the season is over it’s difficult to avoid taking your foot off the gas.

“Everyone, including me and the backroom staff, has relaxed but we can’t afford to do that against Tilbury.

“Marc Harrison went in as manager there, inherited a good squad and they would probably be in the play-offs at least if he was there at the start of the season.”