Following the win at AFC Hornchurch, Gary McCann said, "Our second half performance was outstanding, but I don't think we were that bad in the first half either.

"The penalty decision against us worked as our motivation for the rest of the game. Before the game restarted, I called the players over to tell them not to let anything deflect from what we were trying to do, and to keep our discipline.

"Then, when we got into the dressing room at half-time, I could tell by the look on the players' faces the steely determination as they listened to my team-talk. In fact, the way the first half went galvanised and motivated us.

"This is a very special squad. They have (almost) literally run through brick walls for me and my coaching team; it has been a difficult few weeks.

"A couple of weeks ago, I said that we were hanging onto the playoffs by our fingertips; last week we had one hand on the playoffs; and now, speaking before the game against Hampton, we are stretching for the playoffs with both hands."