SOUTHEND Manor boss Adam Peek has hailed the return of striker Nathan Dewberry as ‘a massive boost’.

Dewberry is back at the Essex Senior League club after failing to nail down a regular place in Great Wakering Rovers’ starting line-up following their promotion to the Isthmian North.

And Peek believes that Wakering loss is Manor’s gain.

Peek said: “I’m delighted to have Dewbs back.

“For whatever reason it hasn’t worked at Wakering this season and he wants to play football and enjoy it.

“Signing Dewbs is a massive boost for us as we have struggled in front of goal and he will add the additional firepower we need to help us push on.”

While Dewberry - a prolific goalscorer in the Essex Senior League - will give Manor an additional threat going forward, he has joined a winning team.

Despite being two goals down, Peek’s outfit fought back and claimed a 3-2 win over Barkingside last time out.

Bobby Sears gave the home side a second minute lead, while Mark Frostick doubled Barkingside’s advantage midway through the first half.

But Manor staged a comeback after the break, with Rhys Fatt grabbing a brace of goals before Mohamed Kargbo netted what proved to be the winner at Cricklefield Stadium.

And Peek was pleased to see his players fightback from a two-goal deficit for a second consecutive outing.

The Manor chief added: “I was really pleased to see us pick up the three points.

“It’s the second game in a row where we have been 2-0 down at half-time and staged a comeback.

“We were fantastic in the second half and, as I keep saying, we have a good squad but we need to be more consistent and start better.

“The players have shown great character in the comebacks, but we need to build on this and start to put a run of wins together.”

However, Peek admitted Manor created their own problems by overplaying in the first half.

“We gave away two sloppy goals in the first half and tried to overplay on a poor pitch,” confirmed the Manor boss.

“In the second half, we played with more urgency and a higher intensity. We moved the ball really well.

“The fight and desire we showed in the second half is what I want my team to be about, so I was really pleased to pick up the points.

“But it’s important that we build on the result.”