TOM ASHTON bagged a dramatic late try to help Southend Saxons bag a crucial 20-19 win at Hertford on Saturday.

The victory, which was Southend’s fourth in a row, moved them three points clear of the National Three London & SE drop zone.

And Ashton was delighted to help Saxons boost their survival hopes in such thrilling fashion.

“To win a game with the last play is a special feeling and to get the try personally was a great moment, “ said Ashton.

“But the build up to it was a calm, patient team build up. We kept the ball well and earned the penalty which was put towards the corner. The line out was clean and a first phase strike move worked like a dream with every pass on point which fixed the defence giving me the hole to get through.”

Ashton’s try was converted by Burr but he felt Southend should have been celebrating a far more convincing win.

“Saturday’s game was very enjoyable to play in but we dominated from the first whistle to the last, despite the tight score line,” said Ashton.

“We had the upper hand in the set piece and played in the right areas of the pitch.”

That ultimately led to Southend coming out on top as they continued their recent revival.

The Saxons seemed destined for the drop when they received a 10 point deduction following an RFU charge for failing to control their supporters in a clash against Colchester in October.

But Southend have now triumphed in six of their last seven games to move up 11th in the table and Ashton believes improved confidence levels have been behind the Saxons’ impressive turnaround.

“We have been playing well since Christmas and good performances lead to confidence and momentum so we don’t fear anyone in this league at the moment,” said Ashton.

“The game plan has been simplified and the core of the team is driving standards. Not one member of the squad will accept another member switching off mentally or not pulling their weight which creates an environment that is honest and positive and that has led to our improved form.”

Southend went ahead with a penalty from Burr before the in-form Norbertas Radzevicius scored for the fourth game in succession. Burr’s conversion made it 10-0 but fourth placed Hertford hit back with two tries of their own to lead 12-10.

A penalty from Burr put Southend back in front before Hertford replied with a converted try to leave 19-13 until Ashton’s late intervention saw the visitors win again.

Southend: Ashton, Radzevicius, Ngaluafe, Vaughan, Cleare, Burr, Gould, Strachan, Bloomberg, Bailey, Fombo, Court-Rhind, Shields, Kellard, Legge

Replacements: Forster-Knight, Smith & Ramsey