BASILDON United boss Marc Harrison believes his players are capable of avoiding an immediate return to the Essex Senior League.

The Bees sealed promotion to the Isthmian North thanks to a last gasp winner from Marcus Bowers in the final encounter of the season.

As a result, Basildon finished in second place - behind neighbours Great Wakering Rovers - and were able to pip FC Romania to the final place available in the Isthmian North.

Harrison has retained the vast majority of his promotion-winning side ahead of the Bees’ return for pre-season training.

And the manager, who took over at the Ho Ho Stadium helm following a successful stint with Basildon Town last summer, admitted safety is the main goal heading into the new campaign.

Harrison said: “We have got to keep Basildon United in this division.

“It will be a tough league to go into and our first objective will be to secure safety.

“If we’re able to pick up some points early on, then we will look to push on and a mid-table push would be great.

“If we can stabilise this club in the division then that would be a fantastic achievement.

“I’m happy to have retained so many of our promotion-winning squad from last season and I’m chuffed with the players we have managed to bring in.”

Harrison has already completed the signings of Brian Moses, Reuben Paapa Asamoah, Steven Carvell, Remi Nelson, Joe Turpin and Eljay Worrell ahead of the players’ return for pre-season.

But Harrison has not ruled out welcoming further additions.

Basildon were able to call on the services of some of Concord Rangers’ most exciting prospects last term.

And Harrison confirmed he was interested in arranging for those players to return to the club.

“The relationship we have had with Concord has been fantastic,” added Harrison.

“All of the players who came to us from there last season have gone back to Concord for pre-season.

“They have a new manager in place and so it has made sense for them to go back and show Sammy Moore what they can do.

“We have already contacted them and we will have another discussion once a bit of pre-season has taken place to see if any of them are available.

“I’m hoping that we will be able to get one or two of them back.”