Corinthian Casuals boss Matt Howard has told his men they are not riding high in the Ryman Division One South for no reason.

Casuals bagged their first league win since September 23 on Tuesday night thanks to a well-crafted Carl Wilson-Denis strike gave them a 1-0 win at Hastings United.

Howard’s men suffered at the hands of a Tommy Hutchings hat-trick when they crashed 3-0 at play-off rivals Merstham on Saturday, but bounced back in mid-week to move up to seventh in the table.

The King George’s Field chief had begun to question his faith in his side having seen them slip after an impressive start to the campaign.

The amateurs are now back within touching distance of the top five and, if they can repeat the form that saw them escape relegation last term, have realistic expectations of a play-off push this term.

But Howard insisted it was time for his men to believe they deserve to be riding high.

“Luke Garrard [the manager’s assistant] and I said before the game that if they put the effort in, the rewards will come.

“We’ve got 27 points from 17 games and sit seventh in the league. That’s not a fluke or luck. If you’re prepared to work, you’ll get the pay off.”

And what’s more, the manager is believing in himself – again.

“I needed that win personally after the run that we’d been on,” said Howard, below.

“The team worked their socks off. I couldn’t have asked for any more from them.

“Every single one of the lads gave everything they had. On another day, we’d have probably scored another couple of goals. It’s very pleasing to keep a clean sheet too.

“They’re over the moon in the changing room. That meant a lot to them.

“But as I said, for me personally, I needed the win because you end up questioning yourself a little. ‘Is this right? Am I doing this right or wrong?’ “As a management team, the win was a blessing.”

Corinthian Casuals host mid-table Whitstable Town on Saturday.