Bowden-Haase – We proved we can win, now we must keep it going

He said: "There is real belief in the team now. We're going into each game believing we can win it. We've come close on a few occasions, but beating Aylesbury proved we can do it and now we must take that on and get a run of results going."

And if the club do survive relegation, it would be a happy ending to a traumatic season for everyone associated with the club.

Bowden-Haase, one of the few players left from the start of the season, said: "It's been a difficult season. I think we've gone through about 60 players and three managers. There hasn't been much stability. But Luther Blissett has come in and there is a lot more confidence around the club now, so hopefully we can avoid relegation and finish the season off on a positive note."

To achieve that, the manager believes four wins from their final eight games will give them a realistic chance.

He said: "My initial aim was to get to 40 points as quickly as possible, and then assess it after that. One or two teams near the bottom have still got to play each other, and they can't both win, so maybe 40 points would be enough."

However, after today's home fixture against Merthyr Tydfil, they will have to do without Ed Chemlal and possibly Chris Sullivan.

Chemlal, who has impressed in central defence since being promoted from the youth side recently, has a 35-day suspension coming up after being dismissed for the youth team, while Sullivan's loan period from Stevenage is due to expire next week.

Blissett said: "I'd like to keep him. He fills our right side very well. I have made contact with Stevenage about keeping him until the end of the season. I'm hopeful we'll be able to, but then I'm always hopeful."

One player who is staying until the end of the season is keeper Alex Lawler, who made a string of fine saves on debut against Aylesbury.

Blissett said: "I felt we needed someone with a bit of stature. He's got a lot of confidence and that spreads across the back four."