THURROCK manager Hakan Hayrettin wore a big smile on Saturday evening as his battling side continue to confound their critics and edge away from the bottom of the Conference South.

The former Waltham Forest manager has endured a tough baptism at the higher level, having to cope with a vastly decreased budget, an exodus of established players and one or two critics on the sidelines, but he believes his side is beginning to show its true colours.

On Saturday they produced a fine victory at high-playing - and big paying - Fisher Athletic, in a match when some of Hakan's picks proved their worth.

Among the players he has brought to Ship Lane are Wes Thomas, Leon McKenzie and Hassan Nyang and all got on the scoreline in a 5-3 victory.

"It was a fantastic performance from the all the lads and a great result for the club. It may or may not yet be the turning point for the club, but it will certainly have a lot of clubs looking at us now and thinking that Thurrock have turned the corner," he said.

Before the match Hayrettin range the changes, selling Steve Harper for an undisclosed fee to Welling and moving own of his own recruits, Tarkan Mustafa to Eastleigh.

He said: "In the week I sat down and thought long and hard about the squad and the way things were shaping up and I felt we had to make the changes. I brought in Scott Cannon from Grays and he did well on Saturday.

"In fact all the boys did well. Greg Heald and Tim Cole are forming a good partnership and the back and Hassan has been exceptional in midfield, particularly scoring two fantastic goals on Saturday.

"Some people had doubts about some of the young players I brought in and wondered where they were worth the chance but people like Wes and Leon are beginning to show that they really do belong at this level. It takes time but they are learning in every game, as is the whole team, and I can only repeat what I have said all along.

"I am convinced that this squad is good enough to compete and that at the end of the season we won't be involved in the relegation battle but we will be building a sound base for the future of the club."