WHEN Mark Dennis took up the managerial reins at Fleet Town just over three months ago his friends in high places strongly advised him against it.

But though the ex-Saint appears to be turning things round at Calthorpe Park along with co-manager Adi Aymes, he knows the north Hampshire club are not out of the woods just yet.

Speaking after Saturday's amazing about-turn at home to Histon, when Fleet fought back from two down to win 3-2, ex-Saint Dennis said: "Adi and I took on the job because it was a challenge. At the time I said to Adi that if we managed to keep Fleet up, it would be like winning the Premiership.

"A lot of people at Southampton told me not to take the job, but now we've had a couple of good results I heard one bloke changing his mind the other day and saying: 'I knew he'd do it.'

"The annoying part is, I haven't done it! We're still fourth to bottom and deep in a relegation dogfight.

"But Corby and St Leonards look to be in freefall and if we can continue to work hard and hang on in there, then anything can happen."

After gifting goals to Histon's Peter Munns and Ian Cambridge, Fleet responded to a stern half-time talking to by blitzing their opponents after the break.

"We told them not to play the ball around too much and just get it into the danger areas - and Histon crumbled like a pack of cards," said Dennis.

Saints Academy lad Shea Saunders got the revival under way with a stunning volley described by Dennis as "a goal from heaven."

Veteran striker Mark Frampton squared the game with a 71st-minute left-foot strike on the turn and a minute later Fleet's new signing Ed Hare settled matters with his first goal for the club.

"What pleased me most was that the boys showed a pride and a passion for Fleet Town the like of which I haven't seen before," said Dennis.

"They wanted it badly and even the Histon manager praised our never-say-die spirit and said he couldn't understand how we're down near the bottom."

The Eastern Division games involving leaders Salisbury City, Bashley and Newport IoW all fell foul of unfit pitches.