Nick Davis is feeling more positive than ever about the challenge of keeping Hythe in Isthmian South East.

The Cannons conceded twice in added time to lose 3-2 at home to promotion contenders Margate at the weekend.

It was a sixth successive defeat, leaving them seven points from safety, but manager Davis took great heart from the performance going into a big game at relegation rivals Littlehampton this Saturday (3pm).

“There are so many positives to take from the Margate game,” said Davis, whose side led 2-1 through Javaun Splatt and Anthony Adesite.

“If we take that approach in every game then we believe we’ll hopefully get the points and the wins we need to get us away from the bottom.

“We’ve got Littlehampton this weekend and there’s a six-pointer if ever there was one.

“We need to go there and win and that’s what we’ll try to do. We’ve got to approach every game like that.

“We can’t ringfence a handful of games, saying these are the ones we’ve got to win.

“We’ve got Ramsgate and Sittingbourne to play and we’ve got to think we can get something from those games.

“We can’t just say we’ll pick up wins against Lancing, East Grinstead or Littlehampton, whoever it might be.

“Let’s embrace this challenge because everyone’s writing us off, everyone thinks we’re down but if we put that performance in that we showed against Margate, we’ll be close to staying up.

“Even though we were massively disappointed we didn’t get something, with the manner of the performance, there was a buzz around the place afterwards.

“There’s a lot of football still to be played - 18 games.

“Nine at home and nine away.

“Funny results happen at this time of year.

“We can do this. We can stay up. Let’s make a challenge of it and if we do stay up, what an achievement.

“That’s how we’ve got to look at it. We’ve got to embrace it, not be scared of losing but be excited when we win.

“That’s how we’ve got to be in every minute of every game.”

Hythe’s survival bid has been boosted by the signing of centre-half Dexter Peter.

He’s on board after leaving Isthmian Premier outfit Bowers & Pitsea, making his debut against Margate.

“I’ve been an admirer of his for a couple of years,” said Davis, who received public backing from chairman Matt Smith last week amid rumours over his future.

“He was absolutely immense for us on Saturday - he made a massive difference.

“I think he had over half a dozen clubs in for him.

“We acted quickly and got him over the line.

“Funnily enough, he went to Phoenix around this time last year and helped them stay up, so he’s used to doing it.

“We’ve got a Step 3 centre-half there.

“He’s a massive presence and a great signing - we’ve done well to get him in.

“We need people who are going to put their bodies on the line in the situation we find ourselves.

“He’s experienced, he’s a leader, so he ticks a lot of boxes.

“He knows what he’s coming into.”

Hythe visit East Grinstead on Tuesday (7.45pm).