WIVENHOE Town manager Mo Osman has revealed that an emotional vote of confidence from his players persuaded him to continue in his role as Dragons boss.

Long-serving Osman was prepared to step away after his side’s “embarrassing” recent 10-1 defeat at home to Newmarket Town.

He said he was close to tears during a frank exchange with his players afterwards.

However, the squad wanted him to stay and since then they have pocketed four precious points – including a 3-2 victory at rivals FC Clacton on Monday afternoon – to give themselves a fighting chance of Thurlow Nunn League survival.

They remain third from bottom in the premier division but are now just two points behind Hadleigh United, who lost 2-1 at Long Melford, with a game in hand on the Suffolk side.

“We couldn’t have got any lower, after the 10-1 thumping against Newmarket,” said Osman.

“I was left questioning myself and the players questioned themselves too, because we were that bad. We gave up and the score ended up being embarrassing.

“I was close to tears and said to the players ‘if you want me to stop, I’ll stop’.

“If it meant sacrificing myself to keep the team up, I would have done it.

“If the players felt a new voice in the dressing room would have made a difference, I would have done it.

“I put myself out there and said ‘it’s up to you guys’.

“I still would have been there watching, supporting from the stands, but I put the ball in their court and they all said they were still behind me.

“I wouldn’t be standing here now (being interviewed) if they hadn’t wanted me to stay.”

In addition to reaffirming his own position, Osman felt the Newmarket hammering was the catalyst for a much-improved Easter weekend.

Wivenhoe fought back to secure a draw against Ely on Saturday before two goals from Joe McCracken, following a stunning volley from Billy Latto, secured the spoils at Clacton on Monday.

“It could have been even more than ten against Newmarket,” said Osman.

“Whenever we lose, I just want to walk off knowing the players have tried their very hardest.

“But I looked into their eyes at half-time that day and saw fear.

“There was no response in the second half and the players were almost walking about.

“In all the years I’ve been in football, I’ve never had players respond in that way and so the manner and attitude of the defeat was just as hurtful as the result.

“We spoke about it afterwards, saying the only way was up, and it certainly gave us a kick up the backside.

“Saying it is one thing but showing it is another and they showed it on Saturday and Monday.

“It could have gone one of two ways but, thankfully, since then we’ve had a very positive response and, in a funny way, taking that thumping has helped us.

“Since then we’ve had a different mentality and attitude.

“Confidence may have been low but our desire kicked in and got us through.

“It brought us together and everyone wanted it more. Friends became brothers and that’s the way it is here. We take care of each other.

“The together and team spirit is there and that doesn’t come overnight.

“If you can stick together through the hard times, especially after conceding ten goals, you can get through anything.

“Since then we’ve had a good weekend and we showed how far we’ve come with the four points against Ely and Clacton.”