Terror-firma: Paul Vines dusts off his scoring boots to help Tooting end Cray's winning streak Deadlinepix SP20375
Tooting & Mitcham boss Billy Smith insists home advantage in the play-offs will be crucial as the Ryman Division One South season draws to a close.
The Terrors reclaimed second spot at the weekend with an excellent 2-0 home win over Cray Wanderers, ending their opponents' 28-game unbeaten run.
And, with Cray likely to provide their stiffest play-off challenge, Smith called on his side to secure the runners-up position ahead of tonight's home clash with Met Police.
He said: "Even though our pitch is not the best it is always better to be playing at home.
"The pitch does not really help us but it certainly doesn't help the opposition either.
"You look at the other teams in the play-off places and most of the games they have lost have been away from home.
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"It is very important for us, therefore, to keep hold of second place."
Carl Hutchings and Paul Vines scored on Saturday as the Terrors earned a noteworthy double over their visitors.
And Smith revealed a recent change of tactics was paying dividends.
He added: "We have changed the way we are playing over the past few games.
"I decided to switch from 4-4-2 to 3-5-2 to see how that worked and it has really paid off.
"The midfield has been more competitive and we have looked a lot tighter."
Tooting face Dulwich Hamlet and Molesey in their final two games of the season.
And the Terrors boss admits it will be easier to fire his side up for the visit to Dulwich.
He added: "We have suffered a bit this season playing the lower teams as some of the players just seem to think they can turn up and win.
"Against the better sides the players are really up for it.
"That will help against Dulwich and certainly come the play-offs."
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