BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent manager Kem Izzet hailed a dramatic transformation after his side went from haemorrhaging seven goals to keeping a clean sheet in Saturday's 1-0 victory at Lewes.

The R's travelled to Sussex on the back of an "embarrassing" 7-0 defeat at Bowers and Pitsea, in their previous BetVictor Isthmian League contest last Tuesday.

However, far from feeling sorry for themselves, they turned things around with a hard-earned victory against one of the sides just above them in the premier division standings.

In the process, they moved off the foot of the table, leapfrogging Corinthian Casuals.

"It was a huge result for us and the best possible reaction to what happened last Tuesday," said Colchester United legend Izzet.

"We needed it, to be honest, after a massively disappointing night at Bowers.

"Everyone was poor and it was pretty embarrassing to lose 7-0.

"It could have been even worse and could have been double figures.

"We had a hard training session on Thursday night and, thankfully, it was so much better on Saturday.

"The two centre-halves, especially, were outstanding and to go from shipping seven to keeping a clean sheet was a massive achievement.

"It wasn't a pretty game of football but we did what we needed to do to get the points."

Jake Thompson's goal just before half-time paved the way to an important victory for Regent.

They now have ten games left to avoid relegation and preserve their top-flight status - starting with Saturday's home clash against East Thurrock United.

"We're off the bottom now and that's important, from a psychological point of view," added Izzet.

"But it's also nice to bring others into the mix.

"We're only a couple of points off Lewes now, after Saturday's result, and we're only four points behind Bishop's Stortford, in 16th.

"We've played more games than the other sides around us but the onus is now on them."

Of Brightlingsea's remaining ten games, five are at home and five away.

In addition to East Thurrock United, they will also welcome Carshalton Athletic, Leatherhead, Haringey Borough and Bognor Regis Town to the Taydal Stadium.

The away games are against Cray Wanderers, Merstham, Horsham, Bishop's Stortford and Cheshunt.