BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent manager Tom Rothery believes his side’s extra firepower since Christmas can be largely attributed to assistant boss Pip Boyland.

The R’s were not scoring enough earlier in the season and consequently found themselves in danger of relegation.

However, they have turned their season on its head since defeating Burgess Hill Town 3-2 on December 1.

They have hit the goal trail and powered up to mid-table, still with an outside chance of a play-off spot.

“It’s so pleasing and I’d like to acknowledge Pip’s contribution,” said Rothery.

“He’s been excellent and, for me, he’s one of the best young coaches about. I don’t say that lightly.

“He’s got an unbelievable future in the game and I think so highly of him.

“His methods are working.

“He’s getting good information to the players and they’re buying into what he’s telling them.

“I’ve got really high hopes for him – whether that’s here or elsewhere – and think he’s got a great chance to do very well for himself.

“He’s honest, loyal and a very good coach.”

Boyland’s hard work, as well as that of the players, is best reflected in terms of Regent’s goal tally, according to Rothery.

“Pip’s been particularly key in terms of our improvement in the final third, where the players are showing real composure and not forcing anything,” he said.

“In terms of defensive discipline, I’ve always had that here.

“The players have always understood that we want to be solid and compact.

“Most teams look to get their defensive set-up correct.

“That’s the starting point and, for me, a standard coaching strategy and skill.

“But it’s in that attacking third that we’re really reaping the rewards because initially we weren’t scoring enough goals.

“Getting Aaron (Condon) back and the persistence of Pip and the players has paid handsome dividends and that’s been reflected in our results and goals since December.

“Defensively we’ve conceded 43 from 33 games, which isn’t too bad in comparison to the rest of the league. We’ve scored 41 but I believe we’d only managed 11 after 15 games, before the Burgess Hill game.

“In the next 18, including and after that Burgess Hill fixture, we’ve almost tripled our tally by scoring 30.”

There was a familiar face on the bench for Regent’s Bostik League premier division 1-1 draw at home to Harlow Town, on Saturday.

Winger Rob Harvey has rejoined on a 28-day loan from Championship side Millwall.

Regent drew first blood just after the halfway point in the first half, after an own goal from Fabion Simms.

However, Harlow levelled shortly before the break through Reece Price-Placid.

Regent head to play-off rivals Worthing tomorrow.