Colbran: I'm no quitter and we keep on fighting

Peacehaven lost 2-1 and remain second from bottom in the table. Chipstead, who are fourth from bottom, moved six points clear of Colbran’s battlers.

“I’m no quitter and we will keep fighting until it mathematically impossible,” Colbran said. “Even if it does become certain, we will keep on fighting in every game because that is the type of club we are.

“Chipstead was a blow for us but there are many points still to play for. If we win half the games left then we have a chance.”

Colbran, who has previously managed at Chipstead, Redhill, Worthing and Horsham, admits that this season has proved to be the hardest of his magerial career. Shortly after he agreed to replace previous manager Darren Freeman, he lost nine senior players. Colbran began rebuilding and thought he had turned the corner when they beat Three Bridges 2-0 in November.

His playing budget was then cut once again and more departures left him starting from scratch for the second time in two months. Three Bridges was Peacehaven’s last victory and since then they have played 15, lost 14 and drawn once.

The club have also had to cope with the loss of their popular chairman Brian Suckling who died in January.

Colbran added: “Without a shadow of doubt it has been my hardest season in football.

“I had so much respect for Brian and I told him I would do all I could get a side on to the pitch that is competitive.

“I have stuck by my word and we are starting to do that now. “We are a young side but it is a bit more settled and we are seeing improvements. We went 2-0 down in the first five minutes against Chipstead and a month ago we would have lost that by six or seven.

“A lot of these lad are getting used to Ryman football. It has been a learning experience for them and they will be better players becuase of it, that’s the positves I take from this situation.”

A trip to midtable side Tooting and Mitcham is next for Colbran’s men and he is hoping new signings Andy Dalhouse and Shy Blackwood will be available.

Andrew Jones, Josh Marshall and Chris Ransome have also impressed for Peacehaven in recent games.

Colbran added: “Andrew has a bright future. He has adapted well to Ryman football and Josh and Chris have been superb.”