CALLUM Chafer believes that Bowers & Pitsea should be targeting promotion after pulling off two penalty saves in the last minute win over Tilbury.

Chafer stopped second half penalties from Adam Vyse and Toby Aromolaran, before John Easterford nodded home in stoppage time to seal a 3-2 win at the Len Salmon Stadium.

And although Chafer was quick to admit that Bowers were poor against Tilbury, who played most of the game with 10 men following Kris Newby’s red card, the former Romford shot-stopper believes that it was the type of game that is the making of Isthmian North promotion winners.

Chafer, who also saved two Tilbury penalties during his stint with Romford last season, said: “I’m really pleased with making two penalty saves.

“The first one he (Vyse) hit it really well but I’ve got down and saved it.

“There was a little bit more pressure on me for the second one because I gave it away with a clumsy tackle, but luckily I went the right way for that one as well.

“I’m really pleased, but I’m more pleased that we got the win.

“We conceded so late and played rubbish but teams that go up have to play rubbish and win, and we did that.

“At the end people were almost looking like we had lost the game because the performance was so bad.

“But we can’t beat ourselves up because we still walked away with the three points and at some stages of the season you have to take points over performance and that was one of those nights.”

Jamie Dicks netted a fifth minute opener for the hosts, but Newby sent a sweetly-struck half-volley into the bottom corner to get the Dockers back on level terms just past the half hour mark.

Newby was given his marching orders just four minutes after getting on the scoresheet following a late challenge on Dicks.

Following Chafer’s spot-kick heroics, Tony Stokes sent a deflected effort into the back of the net five minutes from time.

Tilbury were behind for just two minutes, as Charlie Little lashed home to level matters with just three minutes to play.

The Dockers tried to hold on for a share of the spoils, but Easterford sent a towering header beyond away goalkeeper Clarke Bogard to seal all three points.

Chafer admitted that Bowers were guilty of thinking the game was won after Stokes’ goal.

The goalkeeper added: “When Stokes’ goal went in it felt like we had already won the game, to be honest. I was running up and down the pitch.

“Maybe it’s a lesson because we should keep our head for a bit longer in the game.

“I think everyone felt like that was enough to win it but we switched off and they got back in the game.

“We showed great character to go on and win the game, though.”