MARK Bentley feels Canvey Island must have more self-belief if they are to break into the Isthmian North play-off places.

The Gulls moved to within two points of the top five after recording a 2-1 victory over Cambridge City on Tuesday.

The result allowed Canvey to bounce back to winning ways after a disappointing weekend defeat to Soham Town Rangers and Bentley believes his side must remember the positive performances they have enjoyed this term as they look to improve.

“The players need a lot of self-belief,” said the Gulls boss.

“They need to believe that they are good players.

“At home, it hasn’t happened for us for whatever reason but I was really confident under the lights.

“We have been performing well and we’ve got to go back to the performances against Aveley, Bury Town and Bowers & Pitsea in the FA Cup.

“It’s important to remember those games where we were good and we were exceptional that day against Bury.

“We’ve got to do the basics right as well.”

Bentley admits he is looking to strengthen his squad, although the former Southend United midfielder is finding it difficult to bring in reinforcements.

And Bentley has challenged Canvey to string a run of positive results together as the Isthmian North outfit look to fight for promotion.

“We have got a good squad and although we are on the hunt for players, it’s a difficult one,” added Bentley.

“If we can start picking points up and go on a good run, like Heybridge Swifts, Aveley and Tilbury have been doing, we have a chance.

“That’s what we need to do and we haven’t done yet this season.

“It is frustrating but it’s there for us if we want it.”

Jason Hallett - who scored a hat-trick seven days earlier in the 7-1 mauling of Witham Town - put Canvey in front inside 18 minutes and matters got worse for Cambridge as Taylor Horne was dismissed just five minutes later after bringing down Sam Bantick with the former City man through on goal.

The Gulls capitalised immediately, with Seb Simpson inadvertently turning into his own net after Albert Levett had been denied.

Although Arel Amu halved Cambridge’s deficit by pulling a goal back before the break, the visitors could not stage a second half fightback and Canvey sealed all three points.