Ryman Premier: Joint boss Jason Broom praised the “immense” contribution of seasoned campaigner Steven Heffer as his side took their unbeaten run in all competitions to six games.

It had not been expected that Heffer would figure every week this season as he combined playing with getting coaching experience with his fine non-league career moving towards its latter stages.

But Heffer has played throughout the New Lodge side’s outstanding recent run — and was the only recognised centre-half fully fit for Saturday’s encounter against a Staines side lying third in the table.

Here he was marking opposition man Scott Taylor, who has arrived back at Staines recently after a superb career that has encompassed more than 500 Football League appearances.

“Heffs did a great job. He didn’t give Taylor a chance, so much so that they substituted him,” said Broom.

“Heffs had to have a calf injury strapped at half-time, but still dominated throughout. He’s been immense for us over the last few weeks and never more so than today.”

With hamstring victim Lynvall Duncan joining crocked central defenders Tim Cole and Dave McSweeney on the sidelines — and young Richard Ketchell recovering from flu — Billericay switched Ashley Dumas from left-back to partner Heffer.

“Ashley did well — as did Wayne Semanshia who switched to left-back to replace him,” added Broom.

“All in all it was good to again demonstrate that we have players with versatility.”

In front of a 371-strong crowd, Billericay got the best possible start when Bradley Woods-Garness, in his first full league game since September after a cartilage operation, was left free at the far post to net a seventh-minute opener when Staines failed to clear a right-wing corner.

With Woods-Garness and the impressive Steven Ferguson doing well down the flanks, and tracking back when necessary, the hosts held the whip hand for the majority of the game.

They could and should have had more goals with attack leader Billy Bricknell again leading the front line impressively.

But Staines rallied late on and dominated the closing quarter-hour with substitute Richard Butler grabbing the equaliser eight minutes from time.

And, but for an outstanding late near post stop by goalkeeper Tony Tucker from another arrival from the bench, Richard Fenton, the visitors would have collected an undeserved three points.

“I’m disappointed at the result — but not our performance,” sadi Broom.

“I thought we played really well, but I knew that when they took Taylor off they had another top-class striker to come on in Butler.

“We gave away too many free-kicks in dangerous positions as the game wore on — and that’s what led to their goal.

“Certainly there was a question mark about their equaliser as our keeper seemed to be impeded. I’ve certainly seen fouls given for them, but it’s something you have to take.

“We dominated for 75 minutes, but could have lost in the closing stages. Still, it keeps our unbeaten run going and we’re certainly keeping ourselves in the mix in a very tight division.”

That is certainly true. Although the two points lost here saw Billericay drop two places to 11th, they are only five points off the play-offs with a game in hand on a Tonbridge Angels side currently filling that all-important fifth position.