Needham Market manager Mark Morsley has encouraged his side to repeat their midweek performance when they host mid-table Metropolitan Police at Bloomfields on Saturday.

The Marketmen have picked up valuable points from their last two games, most recently on Tuesday night when they held a good Grays Athletic team to a 0-0 draw in difficult conditions.

The Bloomfields pitch made playing football on the floor difficult, but Needham adapted, especially in the second half, and Michael Brothers led the line well as the hosts broke at their opponents with pace and purpose.

Needham’s draw was only the Marketmen’s third at home this season – Morsley’s side having lost nine games at their Suffolk base – and was another step in the right direction, following a run of six defeats in seven, prior to Saturday’s stalemate at bottom side, Lewes.

After the draw with Grays, Morsley said: “I thought a draw was about the right result. Grays are a very good team so I was pleased.

“Grays had a spell towards the end of the game, but we also had a spell and adapted the way we played slightly, which worked.

“The team ethic was phenomenal on a heavy pitch and I was pleased with the performance.

“Going into Saturday, I want to see that same desire and commitment. We will look to play the same way, the same system with the same intensity and pressure.”

Tuesday night saw young right-back Jake Dye complete a very good 90 minutes after coming on as a late first half substitute on Saturday, while Billy Holland – a recent signing from Ipswich Wanderers – stood out for Morsley.

With the injured Keiran Morphew set to go on trial with Ipswich Town when he returns to fitness and fellow youngsters Regan Pelling and William Crisell also occupying places on the bench on Tuesday, the future looks bright for Needham.

“Jake was absolutely outstanding and I think Billy Holland was our best player,” added Morsley.

“Michael Brothers was phenomenal and a lot of players put a good shift in. I was proud of all of them.”