CANVEY Island manager Danny Heale admits he will sleep easier at night once his side have got six more points under their belt this season.

The Gulls boss believes that will be enough to secure their Ryman Premier League status for another year, in what has been a difficult season so far.

Canvey are eight points above Witham Town, who currently occupy the final relegation place in the league.

And Heale is hoping they go some way to reaching the magic 50 point mark against second-placed Hendon tonight, following Saturday’s 2-2 draw with third-placed Margate.

“We are not safe yet,” said Heale. “I’m still not sleeping too well and I will rest easier in my bed after we have got two more wins under our belts.

“We did well to bounce back from the 2-0 loss against AFC Hornchurch against Margate – a side who have a lot more money than us and who are going well in the league. It set us up nicely for Hendon.

“Hendon are doing well at the moment. We lost 1-0 to them at home but had a man sent-off early in the second half and it was a close game.”

However, the Greens have won seven of the last eight matches, and taken 13 points from the last 15 on offer in the league.

John Easterford will miss the game tonight, although he will return for Saturday’s match at Harrow Borough, before sitting out the following three games after he received his second red card in three games.