Walton Casuals manager Luke Dowling had mixed feelings after seeing his side hold high-flying Cray Wanderers to a 2-2 draw on Saturday.

Dowling watched his side race into a two-goal lead thanks to first-half strikes from Chris Kiganda and Steve Tyson.

But Cray battled back after the break to extend their unbeaten run to 16 games.

And the Stags manager admitted it had been a rollercoaster afternoon.

Dowling said: "Before the game I would have taken a point but at half-time we were 2-0 up so it feels like a defeat.

"I told the team at half-time if we could keep things tight for the first 20 minutes we would win the game. But, within 15 minutes, they were level.

"In the first half, we had a right go at them and found success.

"If you sit back and let them play you will come unstuck and that's what happened in the second half."

Despite seeing his side throw away a two-goal cushion, Dowling refused to condemn his troops, insisting that progress was being made.

He added: "Two to three months ago, there is no doubt we would have gone on to lose that game. We would have caved in and conceded more.

"It shows the advances we have made and the commitment levels are outstanding."

The Stags moved another point clear of the Ryman Division One South drop-zone, and Saturday's trip to Ashford Town presents another chance to edge towards safety.

And Dowling revealed he had more loftier ambitions than simple survival.

He added: "I do not want us to be happy if we simply finish third from bottom.

"I want us to finish as high up as we can, and winning at places like Ashford will get us there."