EBBSFLEET United boss Danny Searle thought his side were well worth their point against Southend United.

An equaliser from Dominic Poleon secured a share of the spoils for the Kent club in Friday’s clash.

And Searle felt it was a deserved draw.

“They’re a really good side but if you look at the game itself I thought we were more than good value for a point to be honest,” Searle told the club’s website.

“If you look at the first half, other than the set piece, they didn’t really cause us too many problems.

“We probably should’ve been 3-0 up before that happened but that’s the resilience we’re building in this team now.

“Things didn’t go our first half but it’s a massive point, especially when you look at the results around us.

“It’s another point towards the destination we want to achieve.”

Ebbsfleet are now 19th in the table, four points above the relegation zone.

But Searle is backing the Shrimpers, who have now gone 12 games without defeat, to be right up there next season.

“They’re a very good side and I think everyone sees they’re going to be there or thereabouts next season,” said Searle.

“Look at the run they’re on and the quality of sides they’ve been playing.

“I include us in that and they’ve played tough opposition.

“I watched their game on Tuesday at Solihull and it was a great display.

“The first 10 minutes Solihull probably had the better of it but once they (Southend) scored they were in complete control.

“We knew we would have to be at our best to play against them.

“Minus their point deduction they would be sixth and I think we’ve given a really good account of ourselves.

“We had to show some character which we’ve done in abundance too.”