BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent hero Jake Turner has reflected on one of his best-ever goals - and hopes his side take heart and confidence from Saturday's eye-catching draw against title-chasing Dulwich Hamlet.

The R's came from behind twice to rescue a point from the Bostik League premier division contest at the Taydal Stadium.

Aaron Condon grabbed a late leveller - also a spectacular strike - while Turner's unstoppable volley ensured they were on level terms at the break, after Ciao Guimares' opener for Hamlet.

"It happened so quickly, which helped me make my mind up there and then," said the 26-year-old.

"Their defender headed the ball out and it just fell for me.

"I hit it as hard as I could and although the shot was rising, it dipped at the last minute.

"I don't score too many but it's certainly a lovely feeling when shots like that come off.

"If not the best I've scored, it's definitely up there and especially as it came in such a big game against the side that were top of the league.

"I felt we deserved to be level at the break and, by the end, we were also good value for our point.

"We worked hard and I thought if anything, we shaded it.

"We battled and more than held our own all the way through."

Saturday's result bucked a run of five straight defeats for Brightlingsea.

Ironically, they dropped to 20th in the table because of results elsewhere but they are 11 points clear of basement boys Burgess Hill Town.

Only one side will fall through the relegation trapdoor this season.

"It's been a really tough time and in four of the five matches we lost, we worked hard and came away with nothing," added Turner.

"That's why it was such a good point at the weekend.

"It'll give us extra confidence and hopefully we can push on and put more distance between ourselves and bottom spot.

"It's a difficult league both for the players and the club in general.

"At the beginning we said 'let's just stay up' but, as it's gone on, we definitely feel like a mid-table team.

"We've shown that on our day we can get results against anyone and we've certainly got character, as we proved by scoring late on Saturday.

"We dig deep and that spirit is one of the main reasons we've been so successful."

Turner was previously at Brightlingsea before a short spell at AFC Sudbury.

He became one of boss Tom Rothery's first signing when he took over as manager in October.

"It's good to be back because I feel at home here," said Sible Hedingham-based Turner.

"It's a feel-good club with good people behind the scenes.

"They're the ones who drive it and run it and, as players, we just have to be as professional as we can and try to put on performances for all the fans who come out to support us.

"We were buzzing at the weekend and now we have to use it as a springboard - starting at Burgess Hill on Saturday.

"As long as we get our application and attitude right, we can go there and get three points."