Hampton & Richmond Borough manager Alan Devonshire fears the Beavers do not have the financial muscle to compete with league leaders Lewes in the Blue Square South run-in.

The Sussex club signed Charley Hearn on a month-long loan from Blue Square Premier side Grays Athletic, before surprisingly slipping up 1-0 at Bognor Regis at the weekend.

Devonshire's troops twice came from behind to bag a 2-2 draw at play-off rivals Newport County, thanks to a penalty from Elliott Godfrey and a close-range strike from defender Orlando Jeffrey.

Hampton passed up the chance to significantly cut the gap between themselves and top spot in Wales.

And the former West Ham United winger believes their south coast rivals - managed by Steve King - have the cash to fix any shortcomings as the run-in approaches.

"I don't think we can win the league and we are not even looking at that," he said.

"Lewes may have slipped up at the weekend, but they will just spend more money on it if they need to strengthen their squad.

"If the problems persist, they will just sign a couple more players. There are not many teams that can afford to do that, especially not us."

The Beavers lost just two league games in the final four months of last season as they went on to claim the Ryman League Premier Division title.

Devonshire's men, who are third in the table, have lost only two of their past 17 league encounters since a 6-2 humiliation at Bishop's Stortford in September.

But the Beveree chief, who could welcome back Aaron Barnett and Barrie Matthews from injury this weekend, thinks his side has some way to go to emulate the championship winning efforts of 2007.

"The difference between now and last year is not just we are playing at a higher level, but also we knew we could easily go out there and win the league," said Devonshire.

"There are 30 points between us and third from bottom.

I think we are safe from relegation, so we can play with the pressure off.

"But we still have games against Fisher Athletic, Basingstoke and Lewes to come, so I don't think we can look too far ahead of ourselves."

Hampton host Basing-stoke Town on Saturday and go to Braintree Town on Tuesday night.

"Seven points from the past three games has been a tremendous effort and four from the next two is what we are looking for now," added Devonshire.

Rob Paris will return from international duty with Anguilla for Tuesday's match.