JAMIE O’Hara claims Alan Julian faces a battle to regain the number one jersey after Nathan Harness shone on his Billericay Town debut.

Harness made a number of impressive saves to ensure Billericay would return to winning ways by beating National League South table-toppers Wealdstone 3-1 in midweek.

And O’Hara, who admitted to being desperate to bring in a new goalkeeper on talkSPORT following an injury to Julian, was keen to praise the Charlton Athletic loanee.

“We had a few goalkeepers in the pipeline and I guess the Alan Brazil Show helped out a bit because Nathan came to us through a friend of mine who was listening to the show,” said Town player-manager O’Hara.

“Nathan was the quickest one to come back to us.

“We were at panic stations with Jules being out and us having to register a new goalkeeper the day before the game.

“Charlton were brilliant with us because they got the deal done straightaway.

“He was meant to be playing in a game, but they pulled him out of that and got the deal done for us.

“I had a quick chat with their goalkeeper coach, who a few of my mates know, and he said he would be brilliant for us.

“I thought he was brilliant on his debut and he is highly regarded at Charlton.

“He is their third choice goalkeeper and was on the bench for them in the FA Cup at the weekend.

“Although Nathan has joined us for a month, Charlton want it to extend as long as he gets minutes and performs well.

“There is competition for Jules now.”

Wealdstone made to trip to New Lodge with ex-Billericay boss Dean Brennan in charge and five former Town players - Ross Lafayette, Adam Coombes, Billy Clifford, Connor Smith and Sanchez Watt - in the squad.

But goals from Ody Alfa, Jake Robinson and Femi Akinwande ensured it would not be a pleasant return for Brennan and his charges.

And O’Hara was delighted with his side’s performance as they racked up a first National League South win since November.

“We were different class,” added O’Hara.

“It has been a tough run for us with us having to play away from home and the home games being called off has killed our momentum.

“It was great performance from us and we fully deserved the win.”