A STRING of wins by Waltham Forest is raising hopes that an escape from disaster is underway.
New boss Olawale Ojalabi takes his in-form side to Tilbury on Saturday, also struggling in Ryman One North.
One Stags player in particular can be confident ahead of this latest crunch clash in a tough campaign.
Ian Luck bagged a hat-trick last weekend as the Stags continued an excellent January by beating AFC Sudbury 3-2.
Luck bagged a pair before heavy Sudbury pressure forced the hosts to hang tough.
The decisive winner by him was a superb 25-yard free-kick.
Now boss Ojalabi can garnish his burgeoning record with another win on Saturday.
Two more signings were added to the squad this week.
Striker Sam Adelonken has signed for the club, after a previous attempt to join was scuttled last season.
He instead began the season at Ilford and has now rejoined the Stags for their survival fight.
Adelonken has played at Heybridge Swifts and Potters Bar Town.
Forest were due to host Grays Athletic at Cricklefields on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, defender Osa Obamwonyi is also settling in at the club after a spell at doomed rivals Leyton.
Obamwonyi made his debut in last week’s draw against Great Wakering Rovers.
He is only 19 and rated as a very promising centre-half, after drawing rave reviews at ex-club Aveley.
He played for Dulwich Hamlet & Fisher. The teenager also featured for Conference South side Welling United.
Elsewhere, a strong away performance by Waltham Abbey saw them win 3-1 at Great Wakering Rovers.
Three goals by three scorers made it six games without defeat for boss Paul Wickenden’s side.
Steve Cawley and Tyler Campbell netted for Abbey during the first 45 minutes Then Kieron Ogunkoya hit the winner early in the second half.
It nudged Abbey up the Ryman One North table nearer to the play-off spots.
Enfield Town were due at Capershotts on Tuesday night.
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