WALTHAM Forest boss Phil Miles insists a play-off place is the team’s ‘ultimate goal’ this season, after a run of three successive victories in Ryman Division One North put the Stags on the cusp of the top six.

The introduction of Miles did not inspire an immediate spike in form, as the team shipped eight goals in his first three matches at the helm.

One saw them make an early exit from the FA Cup and the others were disappointing defeats in the league.

But, fortunately, the pendulum has swung the other way for Forest and they head into this Saturday’s encounter with second-bottom side Ware eyeing a place at the league’s top table.

“The confidence is high in the camp at the moment and, to be honest, it has been since we came in,” said Miles. “Our ultimate aim will be to finish in the play-off places, but for now we just need to aim to be there around Christmas and see if we can push on.

“I’m beginning to put my own stamp on the team now and I feel like we’re getting there.”

Ex-Barcelona player Samuel Okunowo has yet to make his debut for the Stags, as he is awaiting confirmation of international clearance, having made the move to Waltham Forest from the Maldives.

Meanwhile, Forest finally saw their FA Trophy dream ended on Tuesday night. They went down 1-0 at Maidstone United. The two sides had earlier fought out a 1-1 draw on Saturday, Andre Humphrey-Modeste scoring for Forest. It was a brave effort from Forest, as their Kent opponents play in a higher division.

Elsewhere, Waltham Abbey face a crunch clash against fellow Ryman Premier strugglers Hornchurch on Saturday.

The Abbotts are third from bottom in the league, while their visitors to Capershotts this weekend are just one place above them.

Glen Alzapiedi’s side will be keen to bounce back from their FA Trophy exit at the hands of Boreham Wood last week.

Billy Holland and Aaron Gayle both came close as Abbey more than matched their more illustrious opponents, who are challenging at the top end of the division. However, a Jamie Richards strike after half an hour and a breakaway goal from Leon Hunter late on secured Wood’s passage into the next round.