BURNHAM defied the odds to beat Henley Town on Saturday and give themselves a lifeline in the battle against relegation this season.

The Blues appointed Mark Betts and Jon Palmer as new joint-bosses just two days before the must-win clash with Henley at The Gore.

Despite the short notice, the new management duo were able to put a squad together and win 2-1 with goals from Charlie Samuel and Conrad Joseph, and Betts believes it was a deserved victory.

“A lot of players left with the old management which we appreciate and accept, but we met with the players that intended to stay,” he told the Observer.

“I told the players there will be no superstars here. We work hard for each other.

“We weren’t able to train last Thursday because of the weather so made do with a group of 16 and an hour-and-a-half to explain how we wanted them to play.

“We gave a good account of ourselves and to be honest could have won by a few more goals.

“We were much the better side in the second-half, and the points are most important for the chairman (Gary Reeves) and president (Malcolm Higton).”