Enfield Town boss George Borg believes his side are “growing in confidence and getting stronger” after the Towners scored twice in second half stoppage time to clinch a 3-3 draw against Canvey Island.

The result means Enfield have taken five points in their last four league matches and there are signs a strong battle against relegation will be mounted.

Borg believes there has been a dramatic turnaround since his appointment last month but feels his arrival may have come too late.

He said: “We have been working extremely hard on the training pitch to help improve the players and I can’t speak highly enough of how they have responded.

“Our confidence is growing and we are getting stronger. It will be a massive achievement still if we are to stay up. Make no mistake about it, it is still a big challenge.

“The only regret I have is that we didn’t come in maybe six weeks earlier because then I would be very confident about staying up.

“What we have managed to do though is make sure we have a chance because when I arrived I think we were relegated if I’m being honest.

“So I am sure everyone will make fight and give everything they have got. If that is ultimately not enough it will not be because everyone hasn’t worked as hard as they could.”

On Saturday a penalty from Liam Hope had put the Towners ahead but Canvey responded and struck three times in the second period.

It seemed Enfield were beaten but goals from Hope and Joe Stevens in the dying moments secured a draw and another point in the Towners’ battle against relegation in the Ryman Premier.

“I am really pleased,” Borg said. “We didn’t play with an out and out striker but Mark Kirby did a great job for us.

“We dominated the first half, managed to get ourselves ahead and had plenty of chances to get the second goal.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t get it and they have come back into it in the second half. We had a poor ten minute spell and they have opened up a lead.

“Credit to the lads though because they didn’t give up and have worked their socks off to make sure we got back into the game.

“Liam Hope has showed great composure, which is something he has been working on, to score and I am delighted to Joe as well because he has been excellent for us in recent weeks.”

Borg handed new signing Ryan Doyle his Enfield debut against Canvey after he joined the club last week.

The Towners boss believes the former Heybridge Swifts defender will prove a valuable asset and praised his leadership qualities.

“He is confident and is a very good talker on the pitch and that is what we need,” Borg said. “We have a young team who perhaps do lack that vocal aspect but Ryan will certainly help us with that.

“I’ve been working hard to bring players to the club and Warren Smith has been scouting players for us and he doesn’t get paid for that.

“So everyone is working very hard to improve where we are in the table and hopefully we can continue to perform well.”

The Towners are on the road on Saturday as they face Thamesmead Town. Enfield then face play-off hopefuls Hendon on Monday evening.

Thamesmead sit just two places above Enfield but the gap between the two sides is eight points. However, Borg’s side have played four fewer matches and he is aware of the importance of beating sides who are also struggling.

He said: “Every game for us at this stage is important because we need victories.

“I am not looking that much at the table as to where we could pick up points.

“We want to win every game we play. Of course the matches against the teams around us are that little bit more important.

“But we are going in the right direction and Enfield is a great club with great support.

“I am really enjoying my time here and hopefully we can stay up.”