BENFLEET captain Rob Zammit remains confident he will lead his side to promotion from Shepherd Neame Essex League Division Three.

A narrow defeat to Old Brentwoods resulted in Benfleet dropping out of the two promotion places with just five fixtures of the campaign to go.

But Zammit, who replaced Gavin Blowes as skipper during the close season, believes Benfleet remain full of confidence despite losing to the champions-elect.

Zammit said: “I am really confident that we will finish the campaign in the promotion places.

“There are five games left and none of the teams we have left to play beat us in the reverse fixture.

“We will need to produce the kind of form we have been throughout the season and, if we do that, we will be in a good position.

“A lot of the teams around us still have to play Old Brentwoods as well, so we’re hoping that will work to our advantage.”

Benfleet were defeated by just 15 runs against the league leaders and, as a result, a winning run lasting seven games was brought to an end.

Ben Munday and Callum Wheeler shone with the ball, as they took three wickets each, while Zammit led by example in claiming two scalps himself.

Wheeler followed up his bowling exploits with 59 at the crease, while Samuel Coelho top scored with 81 and Sam Rowe fell four runs short of a half-century.

And Zammit insisted his side were unlucky to come away as the losing team.

The skipper added: “It was disappointing for the winning run to come to an end, but Old Brentwoods are probably the best team in the league and they are top of the standings for a reason.

“On another day we would have won, but it’s important we take the positives into the rest of the season.”