CONCORD Rangers manager Adam Flanagan said he never doubted his team would ensure their National League South status after completing the task in the penultimate game of the season.

The Beach Boys defeated fellow relegation rivals Hungerford Town 1-0 at the Aspect Arena to move clear of the drop zone.

Having missed chances to achieve the feat in recent matches, a goal from Lewis Taaffe got the job done on Tuesday night.

And Flanagan said Concord’s home form has been the reason for their survival, after admitting to a feeling of relief come the final whistle.

“The initial feeling after the final whistle had been blown was one of relief as the last few weeks have been extremely difficult,” admitted Flanagan. “With an ever increasing injury list and dropping points late on in games it has been mentally tough for all but the players did what was required and I am immensely proud of them.

“The squad was completely rebuilt last summer and we were able to put a very competitive, honest and hardworking group who are a pleasure to be around.

“I never doubted that they wouldn’t complete the task.

“We won 32 points at home and defensively we have conceded the second fewest amount of goals at home.

“This gave us a great platform to build on and our home performances were the driving force behind us staying up.”

Flanagan threw his support behind his squad who have been criticised for some of their displays in recent weeks.

With a number of youngsters blooded by the Concord chief in light of an injury crises, Flanagan described the club’s continued survival an ‘incredible achievement’.

“I believe the players have taken unnecessary criticism over the last few weeks so it was pleasing to see that they were not affected by this and remained focused on the task,” he added.

“I was confident, having weathered the conditions and pressure from Hungerford in the first half, that we would come on stronger during the second half.

“We defended well in the first half with Lewis Knight making a great goal saving tackle and Louis Wells making a unbelievable save.

“After that we put them under more pressure and scored a great goal by Lewis Taaffe. Adam Topley and Danny Parrish had chances too and although it would have been nice if we could have got a second goal we got the win and achieved our ultimate goal.

“Personally, I do not get as excited about a survival season as I would do a promotion or a cup success but when you consider we are the smallest club in the division, with the smallest fan base and run with the smallest squad then the task is tough from the outset.

“If you then analyse the level of football the club has played at for five seasons, how clubs are improving each season, the increased finances of teams in lower divisions and the impact this has, the mind-set of modern day players of playing at as high a level as possible maybe isn’t always the primary focus anymore.

“Surviving for a sixth season in this division in my opinion is an incredible achievement.”