FC CLACTON’S Billy Wales is convinced his side can stay up this season.

The Seasiders boosted their chances of avoiding relegation by winning 3-2 at home to Mildenhall on Saturday.

They stay third from bottom in the Thurlow Nunn League premier division table but are now four points adrift of safety and neighbours Wivenhoe Town, who drew 0-0 with Whitton. Wales’ well-worked goal helped his side post a much-needed and well-deserved victory.

Now they are hoping for more of the same in this weekend’s home match against Fakenham.

“The boys still believe we can stay up,” said the full-back or midfielder.

“If we can win two or three of our last seven games, we’ll be alright.

“We’re playing teams around us in the table, including a massive match against Wivenhoe.

“And hopefully now, after last weekend, we can push on and try and climb the table.

“It was nice to get on the score-sheet because it’s been a while.

“I was in the team to do more a defensive job, on the left of midfield, but it was nice to get forward.

“Everyone knew a win was coming. It was about staying together and believing and thankfully it paid dividends.

“We worked hard and got what we deserved.

“All three goals were good but the most important thing was getting the points, to make up ground on Wivenhoe.”

Even though results have not gone their way in recent weeks, Wales says he and his team-mates took heart from the way they played against high-flying pair Hadleigh and Stanway Rovers.

“We competed in those matches and that shows we’ve got something about us,” he said.

“We’ll be good enough to beat them in the future.

“We’ll get there, but in the meantime it’s about taking care of the sides a little lower down the league, like Mildenhall.”