Unbeaten run needs to go on and on for Rocks

A 2-0 home victory over Harrow on Saturday made it five without defeat – and sparked new talk of a late shot at a play-off place.

Stiff tests await this week as Bognor head to Hampton & Richmond on Saturday and Kingstonian on Monday evening but the Rocks know if they can continue the form that’s seen them avoid defeat since the 4-3 loss at Leatherhead on January 7, there’ll be plenty to play for over the final 11 games.

Jason Prior and Ollie Pearce got the goals that saw off struggling Harrow and manager Howell felt a bigger scoreline wouldn’t have flattered his team.

He was happy with the side’s first home win in three, which stretched their unbeaten run in front of their own fans to 13 matches.

“We controlled the game well and created some good chances. We scored two and could have scored more,” he said.

“I heard one or two fans say it was a struggle but I actually didn’t think it was. We were in control throughout the game and could easily have ended up scoring four or five.

“We’re playing well and it’s nice to put a few games together unbeaten. It’s also a good habit to keep clean sheets, which we’ve done for a couple of games in a row now.

“If we can keep up these standards, we’ll continue to go in the right direction. We’re into good habits but we must keep them up.

“Our home form is very pleasing. We had a wobble at the start of the season but I always felt that once we got a settled side, results would come – and that is how it has worked out, especially at home.”

The Rocks head to Hampton on Saturday six places but only six points behind East Thurrock, who currently occupy the final play-off spot.

“We still have to play a lot of the teams around us, and many of them have to play each other too, so there’s a lot that can happen between now and the end of the season. But we’re in a nice position, one we can try to build on.”

The Rocks have benefitted from having a settled team in recent weeks and are keeping everything crossed that can continue.

Central-defender Ryan Woodford, on loan from Havant for a second month, has played a big part in the Rocks having a tighter defence.

Right-back and captain Paul Hinshelwood has had his cruciate-ligament operation but won’t be back this season, while Ben Johnson is still waiting for surgery on his troublesome knee.

Left-back Daryl Wollers continues to build up his fitness after a hip operation, but returning striker Terry Dodd’s bid to break back into the first team continues to be hit by niggling injuries – the latest a hamstring he tweaked in training on Tuesday night.

If he is not fit for the weekend, it could open the door for teenage loan striker Callum Overton to get a look-in.