RYMAN PREMIER LEAGUE: JOHN Coventry said his East Thurrock United side were “back to their best” in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Bognor Regis Town.

Coventry's team created a number of clear-cut chances and he felt they were unfortunate not to take the three points after Sam Higgins had missed a first-half penalty.

Mitchell Gilbey, restored to the starting line-up by Coventry, scored the equaliser 18 minutes from time to salvage a point for the hosts.

Rocks have been on a tricky run of late, winning only one of the last eight matches as they aim to finish in the play-off positions, but Coventry said the performance showed him they would battle until the end of the season.

“It was a bad result,” said Coventry. “We were back to our normal selves and they only had two attempts of note. One hit the bar and one went in.

“However, I am pleased in the sense that we were back and showed a good attitude. I didn’t want the season to peter out and I think we will push on now.”

Ollie Pearce had given the away team the advantage after only 15 minutes, but they couldn’t hold on for what would have been a fourth consecutive win.

The hosts missed a golden chance to equalise when Higgins crashed a first-half penalty against the post, his second missed spot-kick in succession, although he was involved in the move that drew East Thurrock level.

It appeared the chance had gone when Higgins was superbly denied by Bognor goalkeeper Chris Winterton, with the follow-up cleared off the line with the use of an arm. The linesman flagged for a penalty but Gilbey had already converted for the leveller.

Coventry reserved praise for the goalscorer, after he had been left out of the starting eleven in recent weeks.

Gilbey only started twice last month, having been hugely influential in the first part of the season, and Coventry said he impressed him on his return to the side.

“Mitchell Gilbey has been out of the side recently which he wasn’t happy about, but he came back in and he was excellent. He scored the goal but his all-around team play was superb.

“We are running out of games and it is out of our hands. But if we can hit a bit of form who knows what we can do. We have nine games left and I think we would need to win seven of those to stand a good chance.”