Hendon manager Gary McCann praised his squad’s spirit after the Greens followed up their 1-1 draw against Wealdstone on Saturday with a 1-0 win against Bognor Regis Town on Monday.

It was confirmed last week, much to McCann’s disappointment, that the Greens’ board had cut the club’s playing budget by around 40 per cent.

They felt reaching the Ryman Premier play-offs was unlikely but McCann and his players are still hopeful.

On Monday, the winner against Bognor arrived with three minutes remaining. A corner struck Leon Smith and the ball looped into the air before dropping over the line.

McCann said: “It was a difficult game for both teams and I am so proud of the effort put in by my team, they are putting their bodies on the line.

“It shows where the dressing room is at. The whole squad is really together at the moment.

“I felt it was a one-goal game – both teams try to do things the right way, but neither had a Plan B. It was a very interesting game and although it was end-to-end, there weren’t a huge number of chances.

“Both back fours defended did well and I thought our middle two in both defence and midfield were outstanding.”

The Greens produced an impressive performance against promotion-chasing Wealdstone on Saturday and Tony Taggart’s goal ensured the points were shared.