JOHN Coventry was full of praise for Sewa Marah after the former Southend United youngster came off the bench and played a key role as East Thurrock United sealed a 3-1 win over Wingate & Finchley thanks to a late fightback.

Charlie Ruff gave Wingate the lead and it looked as though the struggling visitors were going to triumph despite seeing Tanasheh Abrahams dismissed with 20 minutes remaining, but three goals in the final six minutes allowed Rocks to triumph.

Ben Marlow levelled matters before substitutes Marah and Sean Bonnet-Johnson netted.

And Coventry was pleased to see Marah get his name on the scoresheet in his second appearance for the club.

“I did a shooting session with our attacking players on Thursday in training and Sewa was the best finisher we had,” said East Thurrock boss Coventry.

“We were 1-0 down with 10 minutes to go and, having seen how good he was in training, I decided to put Sewa on.

“He took up the central striking position and I moved Frankie Merrifield out to the right to allow that to happen.

“Sewa had only one chance after coming on and it ended up with him scoring, so I was really pleased for him and there is no doubting that he can finish.

“The rest of his game can be worked on and he needs more time at this level after playing academy football at Southend United.”

Although East Thurrock fell behind, Coventry was confident his side would not be defeated at the Grayers Graphics Stadium.

Coventry added: “We started well and dominated most of the possession and territory.

“We were constantly creating chances but didn’t take them and they punished us by going in front.

“I was not too concerned at half-time because I knew we would continue creating chances.

“We huffed and puffed for the first 35 minutes of the half and, after they had a player sent off, we grew in confidence.

“I also thought that if we scored one goal, we would go on and get more.

“We deserved to win because we kept going, although we did leave it late and Wingate will have left feeling flat after coming away with no points.”