Gary McCann is targetting two more wins from Hendon’s final three league games as their battle avoid the drop took a positive step forward on the south coast.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Josh McLeod-Urquhart in action for Hendon. Picture: DBEECHPHOTOGRAPHYJosh McLeod-Urquhart in action for Hendon. Picture: DBEECHPHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Derek_Beech)

The Greens fought from a goal behind at half-time to defeat Folkestone Invicta 2-1 and move to within one point of safety.

He said: “I thought we just about edged the first half even though we were a goal down. But we performed to a much better level in the second half.

“The second half display was one of the best displays to date. We completely dominated and took the game to them.

“In the final half hour we could have really put the game away and won by three or four. To play this way under the pressure we are experiencing made me very proud.

“We have really benefited from the consistency of selection in the past 10 or so games. Not only have the players done a really good job, they have shown great mental strength when we have had adversity.

“We have three games left and I think if we can win two of them there is a good chance safety will prevail.”

Kezie Ibe got the equaliser at the Fullicks Stadium with 16 minutes to go before Marcel Barrington netted the winner on 82.

And the introduction of the Guyana international midway through the second half was a key moment in the game.

“When we hadn’t scored early in the second half, we had to make a change,” said McCann. “It was a risk to take off James Harper, but Keagan Cole and Matt Ball did a good job holding in midfield with Marcel Barrington playing further forward.

“It was a calculated risk and one we had to take.”

He was also quick to turn the attention from the attacking threats to the defensive ones.

“Everyone contributed but the two centre halves, Josh McLeod-Urquhart and Arthur Lee, were outstanding,” he added. “They made sure that Tom Lovelock was almost a spectator until the last five minutes.

“But also special praise for Sam Murphy, who has been exceptional at left-back. This is an unfamiliar position for him and he has taken to it really well.”

The first chance for those two wins comes at Silver Jubilee Park when Hendon host Metropolitan Police.

They then travel to Harrow Borough on Easter Monday.