Never mind the quality - feel the three points.

Seasiders boss Stuart Boardley admitted his side were not at their best but a ninth minute goal from Joe Hight was enough to secure a 'scrappy' 1-0 win over Basildon.

Josh Hitter in action for Seasiders in scrappy win over Basildon (Picture: Stefan Peck)

After many packed the bar at the AGL Arena to watch Maidstone pull off a giant killing over Ipswich Town, a 340 crowd watched as Felixstowe kept hold of their early lead to stay six points clear in the play-off pack.

"It was important to make sure we kept up as other team around us won," said Boardley whose team stay second in the Isthmian North table, behind Lowestoft, who they beat 3-0 earlier this month.

Boardley was pleased his side got off to a good start and told the club website: "I'm glad to get a goal early that settled us. We had a decent first 25 minutes or so but the game got scrappy after that and neither team had any gilt-edged chances.

"We were not as energetic as we usually are, that was probably down to not playing for two weeks.

"We shaded it and it was good to win but draw may have been fair result."

Noel Aikens bossed midfield (Picture: Stefan Peck)

Boardley picked out Noel Aitkens and Lamell Howell as the stand out players but admitted he and his players know they can all do better.

Felixstowe go to Redbridge next Saturday in the league, which will be the first time the clubs have ever met competitively.