EAST Thurrock United manager John Coventry says his defenders deserve as much credit as his strikers after a terrific win at Tonbridge Angels on Saturday.

Rocks climbed into the play-off places after a Sam Higgins double helped them to a 2-1 win at the weekend.

But Coventry said the defenders are often the unlauded heroes, as East Thurrock aim to continue their surge up the table against Burgess Hill Town this evening.

“It was a really good result on Saturday,” said Coventry. “We played well, as we did against Kingstonian, and we knew we would have to as they are a good side. But we deserved it and it could have been five or six in the end.

“But I am glad it was 2-1 in the end as it showed the strength we have in defence and that was really satisfying. We may be short on numbers but we have a really good platform to build on from the back.

“The back five, including the goalkeeper, allow us to build and the two in midfield – Ben Wood and George Craddock – were excellent as well. It gives the four attacking players the ability to push on and take the glory. But the defensive aspects of the team are just as important.”

Coventry added young Dagenham & Redbridge pair Jimmy Nottage and Jimmy Shepherd ahead of Saturday’s win at Tonbridge.

But he says he needs more players if Rocks are to maintain their form during a busy six-week spell, which includes 10 games.

“We have the two young lads from Dagenham & Redbridge but we need more,” said Coventry. “We have 12 senior players at the moment, and we need more on our books to be honest.

“We have lost key players and we need to bring others in. We are working on it and that will continue.”

Burgess Hill are 15th in the division, having lost 3-1 at Kingstonian on Saturday, and the Rocks boss has urged his team to stay on their toes.

“Burgess Hill are doing OK but it will be a different sort of game,” he said. “We knew we had a tricky game against Tonbridge and we knew we had to be at our best. And I want exactly the same tonight.”