BURNHAM FC boss Martin Stone labelled December a ‘super month’ after watching his side edge closer toward safety in the Southern Premier.

The Blues won the Division One Central title last year, but Stone’s task of keeping them in the top flight received a blow when the budget at The Gore was cut in November.

He was forced to release several key players including marquee summer signing Dan Burnell, with the club flirting with a season-long battle against relegation.

However, his threadbare squad stood united in the face of a financial crisis to register four league wins in December and push into mid-table.

Speaking to the Observer, Stone beamed: “We had an excellent month and only lost to the league leaders. It might have been better had we not conceded two goals at Banbury.

“We are the walking wounded at the moment because we have not got a big squad, but the guys have all given 110%. It is exactly what I thought we would get from them so I’m really pleased.

“We have had a super month and now want to continue that into January, if we pick up two or three wins that would be fantastic really.

“The important thing is to get the club safe and then look where we are. We have still got a lot of work to do and if we start taking things for granted, that is when we will come unstuck.” Burnham put a defeat at leaders Hemel Hempstead behind them to beat West Berkshire club Hungerford Town 1-0 at The Gore on Boxing Day.

Tom Baddeley bagged the only goal on 48 minutes, but The Blues had to defend their lead with 10 men for much of the second half after loanee Joe Maloney was sent off for two bookable offences.

Burnham got off to the perfect start at Banbury on Saturday when an unmarked Ryan Upward headed home a Josh Webb corner inside two minutes.

And the midfielder needed just three minutes of the second half to double the lead, calmly slotting the ball past custodian Dean Snedker in a counter-attacking move that involved Ryan Blake.

Banbury had struggled to make any inroads into the game but were gifted a lifeline in the 81st minute when Kynan Isaac was bundled over inside the box.

Blues keeper Michael Watkins was unlucky not to save the resulting spot kick from Scott Bridges as the ball spun back over the line from his initial save.

That goal seemed to galvanise the hosts and they rescued a point with an equaliser in the final minute of normal time.

Watkins could only push Isaac’s cross into the path of substitute Marcus Green, who shot low into the corner of the net.

The Blues’ trip to AFC Totton on New Year’s Day was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Testwood Stadium.

Burnham host Truro City at the Gore this Saturday (3pm) before turning their attention toward the Red Insure Cup and a home third round tie against rivals Slough Town on Tuesday (7.45pm).

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