BILLERICAY Town boss Gary McCann highlighted the importance of a positive performance in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Hastings United.

It looked like Town would end their five-game losing run when Bradley Stevenson converted from the spot on 47 minutes but Will Harley drew level with 15 minutes remaining.

And McCann felt it was important to stop of the rot following a poor run of form.

“We needed to stop the run of results,” he told the club's YouTube channel.

“There has been a bit of tension around the place which has been evident.

“When you go on a run of results like we have, you can see there is a nervousness and an edginess and it has an impact on the players.

“We have tried to make it a really positive working week and I thought we got a really positive response.

“To get ourselves in front like we did and to defend for the majority of the game as we did, I was really pleased with the effort and levels that we got to.

“There is some disappointment in that changing room that it isn’t three points but we have just switched off on one ball into the channel and the ball in is unbelievable.

“It is a good point considering the conditions, it is a tough place to come, but we move on to next week.”

Billericay’s poor run saw a previously mean defence concede 17 goals in five league games.

McCann speaks on what he has done to boost the morale of his players.

“We have tried to instil belief back into the changing room,” he said.

“There is no question that however senior you are or however young you are, it has an effect.

“What we tried to do was to get the players back into the mindset of what made us difficult to play against, what made us the team we were for the first four or five months of the season.

“We were good defensively and anything that was asked of us, we had the answers for.

“You have got to start somewhere and I said in there, this could prove to be a valuable point in the run-in.”

Hastings’ play-off charge has been mainly down to the goal-scoring exploits of Davide Rodari and former Billericay forward John Ufuah with the former being the top scorer in the Isthmian Premier Division with 22 goals.

But McCann was pleased with how his side dealt with their main threats.

“I thought we were excellent against both of their main threats,” he believes.

“I did challenge the two central defenders today and if we can make sure it is a blank.

“I thought against those two players who have been their main players this season, I thought we were excellent.”

McCann also added how vital Moses Emmanuel’s return is as we approach the business end of the season having been sidelined with an injury since January.

“His experience and goals will be invaluable,” he stated.

“When he got injured, he was coming into his best form of his second spell with us and he has been really missed.

“He is a great individual to have in and around the changing room.”

Fourth placed Town make the trip to Isthmian Premier Division leaders Hornchurch on Saturday.