TAUNTON Town boss Rob Dray has backed his side to "keep finding ways to win" as they prepare for a busy festive schedule.

The Peacocks head to Farnborough - weather permitting - on Saturday in a match which pits two of the league's form sides against one another.

The Boro, beaten 3-1 in Taunton in October, have won their last three league matches, while Town have won six on the spin on league duty.

Dray said: "They are a form side and it will be tough up there.

"This time of year is about getting the job done, doing the dirty stuff and grinding out results, which we have been good at in recent years.

"The players are confident of going out there and winning, it is just about finding ways to do that as every game presents a different challenge.

"We have a couple of big games coming up, with derbies [against Weston-super-Mare and Tiverton Town] over Christmas and then Gosport and Chesham - I think we'll have a good idea by the end of January of where we'll end up.

"I think we have the best squad of players in this league. We have 16 or 17 starters, which pushes standards up all the time.

"Players have to be on their toes and looking over their shoulder - you can't afford complacency or sloppiness. Our loan players have pushed standards up among those who were already here, which can only be a good thing."

Such competition for places does naturally leave some players kicking their heels, and Jack Rice has left the club to join Bideford in search of more game time.

"Ricey was frustrated not to be in the squad last weekend and wants to play more," Dray said.

"He wanted more of an opportunity here but he was behind some very good players in the pecking order.

"Sometimes players sit and wait for a chance, sometimes they move on. Jack is a young player who wants to play, which I completely understand.

"He is with Joycey [Sean Joyce] at Bideford, who is a good friend of mine, so we'll keep close tabs on him. The door is always open."

Noah Coppin, meanwhile, has joined Bridgwater Town on an initial month's loan deal.

"I really rate Noah and he's got a fantastic attitude," Dray said.

"It won't do him any harm to get some mud under his boots for the next month. The move will be good for him."

Dan Sullivan is an injury doubt for Saturday's trip to Farnborough, but Ben Adelsbury and Andrew Neal are expected to recover from knocks in time to feature.