ADAM Peek insists Southend Manor will not take Essex Senior League survival for granted despite being 11 points clear of the drop zone.

Manor moved further clear of the division’s bottom two by sealing a 2-0 win over Leyton Athletic last weekend.

Despite Leyton Athletic and Barkingside being 11 points worse off and boasting a worse goal difference, Peek is still seeking a good run of results to end the campaign on a high.

The Manor boss said: “We are not taking anything for granted, but winning against a side in the bottom two and opening up such a buffer has taken a weight off our shoulders.

“It has put even more pressure on Leyton Athletic and Barkingside.

“They are technically 12 points adrift because our vastly superior goal difference basically equates to another point.

“That means they need to win four games, but the bottom two have only won five matches between them all season.

“There is less pressure on us, but I’m hoping we can still go on and string together some good results.”

With the pressure now being off his side, Peek hopes his players will flourish.

“We are hoping that the players will now start to play with freedom,” added Peek.

“The last few months have been difficult and although we won’t be cruising through until the end of the season, the players now have an opportunity to express themselves and enjoy their football.

“We are playing the top two sides in our next two games, but the pressure is on them.”