Karl Beckford has tipped Dave Tarpey to fire Hampton & Richmond to Blue Square South safety after the frontman secured another useful point for the Beavers on Tuesday.

A Tarpey long-range effort after good work from Beckford was enough to earn a 1-1 draw against play-off hopefuls Havant & Waterlooville at the Beveree, a week after the striker bagged a point at Weston-Super-Mare.

And midfielder Beckford reckons Tarpey’s prowess will be the decisive factor in their battle against relegation.

He said: “When you are a team struggling at the wrong end of the table a goalscorer makes a big difference and having Dave around is priceless.

“He is a great player and gives us an outlet.

“He can play up front on his own or he can pull out wide and he gives you options.

“Knowing you have someone who can take chances gives everyone a lift and gives us a great chance of staying up.”

The midweek point saw Alan Devonshire’s men stretch their recent revival to one defeat in six games.

And Beckford puts that down to a new-found spirit.

He added: “When I first came here in December there was a bit of a downer about the place and the players seemed to feel sorry for themselves.

“But over the past few weeks that has all changed and the squad seems to have come a lot closer together.

“I think that togetherness has been mirrored in the results over the last month or so.”

Hampton face another massive test at the weekend when they travel to relegation rivals Worcester City.

And the former Carshalton and Kingstonian man admits it is a game the Beavers cannot afford to lose.

Beckford added: “If we get a point from the game we are still in control and that is what we want.

“Obviously a win would be great but as long as we keep picking up points in every game we play we should be fine.

“It is a massive game for us and the players are aware of that and I am sure we will respond on Saturday.”

Hampton & Richmond’s next three matches: Mar 6 Worcester City (a), 9 Dorchester Town (h), 13 Maidenhead United (a)