MALDON and Tiptree boss Alan Kimble has been boosted by his side’s performance against high-flying Thurrock.

They battled to a Ryman League division one north 0-0 draw at Park Drive last weekend to secure a valuable point in their battle to stay away from the relegation zone.

The Jammers sit in 17th place on 45 points and prepare to visit Brightlingsea Regent on Saturday.

Promoted from the Thurlow Nunn League premier division last season, Regent have done well and find themselves still in the hunt for a play-off place in eighth spot.

But a spanner was thrown in to their plans with a heavy defeat last weekend and Kimble knows it will be a tough match at North Road.

He said: “Brightlingsea got beaten 4-0 last weekend.

“They will be out to prove a point.

“They will be like a wounded animal.

“Brightlingsea are still in with a chance of the play-offs and we will have to go out there and be at our best.”

But Kimble was full of praise for his Jammers side after their 0-0 draw last weekend.

He now wants more of the same from his troops.

Kimble said: “I asked for a big performance from the team after the 1-0 defeat at Chatham and that’s what I got.

“I wanted to make Park Drive a fortress for us so I was pleased with the clean sheet.

“It was a great display and it was just unfortunate we didn’t get the win.

“I view Saturday’s performance as a stepping stone – that is the minimum performance that I expect from now to the end of the season."