Gary McCann was happy to return from the Kent coast with three valuable points in the battle to avoid relegation. "It was another good performance," he said.

"I thought we just about edged the first half even though we were a goal down. But we performed to a much better level in the second half.

"The second half display was one of the best displays to date. We completely dominated and took the game to them. In the final half hour we could have really put the game away and won by three or four. Do play this way under the pressure we was experienced made me very proud.

"When we hadn't scored early in the second half, we had to make a change. It was a risk to take off James Harper, but Keagan Cole and Matt Ball did a good job holding in midfield with Marcel Barrington playing further forward. It was a calculated risk and one we had to take.

"Everyone contributed but the two centre halves, Josh McLeod-Urquhart and Arthur Lee, were outstanding. They made sure that Tom Lovelock was almost a spectator until the last five minutes.

"But also special praise for Sam Murphy, who has been exceptional at left-back. This is an unfamiliar position for him and he has taken to it really well, but I still cannot bring myself to put him in the No. 3 shirt.

"We have really benefited from the consistency of selection in the past 10 or so games. Not only have the players done a really good job, they have shown great mental strength when we have had adversity.

"We have three games left and I think if we can win two of them there is a good chance safety will prevail."