EAST Thurrock United manager John Coventry said patience was key as a last-gasp goal saw off the challenge of bottom-side Margate.

Rocks needed an 88th minute winner from Lee Burns to secure the three points in the National League South.

The result moves East Thurrock to within a win of the 45 point tally Coventry believes will secure their league status for next season.

And he said it was a warranted three points.

“It was a good win and my goalkeeper only had to make one save,” said Coventry. “We dominated the match although it was scrappy. They worked hard to deny us opportunities but we still created plenty in windy conditions.

“But you have to be patient sometimes and we got our reward in the end. It was a very good goal and a very good delivery from Reece Harris.”

The win meant it was the first time since October that Rocks had recorded back-to-back victories in the league.

Coventry’s team will welcome Poole Town on Saturday in their third home game of the week, and he believes the three points against Margate has removed any notion of pressure in that game.

“When you are not doing well you must stick at it and believe it will change and be patient,” he said.

“We are playing a very good side on Saturday and if we were to get beaten we would have taken six points from nine.

“I said we are looking for points to make sure we are in this league but we want to push on after that.”