Mel Mattless has made improving March Town’s miserable away record his next mission.

Mattless celebrated the first victory of his reign when the Hares beat AFC Sudbury Reserves 2-0 at the GER almost a fortnight ago.

Now, in their first outing since that maiden triumph, he is hopeful of another positive Thurlow Nunn League First Division result when March travel to Halstead Town on Saturday (3pm).

A tough test looks sure to lie ahead at an Essex side who have only tasted defeat once in the league so far this season.

But the Hares, who have collected a meagre four points from seven previous away dates so far, will hit the road in upbeat mood.

Mattless, who succeeded Chris Bartlett as boss just over a month ago, said: “If we can perform to the same level as we did in the AFC Sudbury Reserves game, we won’t go far wrong.

“We’ll set the team up jut as we did that day with the aim of keeping things tight and trying to take any chances that come our way.

“You only have to look at Halstead’s record to realise it is going to be a tough game, but we need to pick up points on the road as well as at home.

“The away record certainly needs improving and hopefully we can take the first step towards doing that.

“There are two ways of looking at the break without a game. It would have been nice to have a fixture last weekend with everyone buzzing after the Sudbury win, but the rest might well have done us good too.

“We had to cancel training earlier this week as well, so there is no excuse for the lads not being fresh.”

Mattless will name an unchanged team from the success against AFC Sudbury Reserves if possible.

A bout of flu for attacking talent Casey Logan may scupper that aim and it could lead to a return for midfield man David Jackson following the completion of a five-match suspension.

If Logan does recover in time to play, Jackson will instead play for the club’s reserves against Eaton Socon Reserves in the Cambs League 1B to get minutes under his belt.

Mattless added: “Casey has been tucked up in bed poorly for a few days so we’ll have to see how he is ahead of Saturday.

“I’m a manager who likes to have a settled side and it is only right to reward the players who did so well in the last game.”