MARC Harrison believes Joe Turpin may have been the missing cog as Tilbury look to earn Isthmian North promotion.

Turpin has returned to Chadfields from Basildon United and the central defender went straight into the Dockers’ starting line-up in the 3-1 win over his former employers.

Harrison hailed Turpin’s immediate impact against Basildon and admits he has been looking to sign the 22-year-old for some time.

The Tilbury chief said: “We have wanted to bring Joe to the club for a long time, but the timing has not been right until now.

“We put a seven-day request in for him last season and earlier this season, but it was not the right time on either occasion.

“I wanted us to have three centre-halves that can get us promoted and Joe fits the bill.

“Joe was fantastic against Basildon and his distribution was brilliant.

“For him to do that against a team just days after coming out of their environment is outstanding.”

Tilbury came behind to seal a valuable victory over Basildon just a matter of days after suffering a 2-1 defeat to table-toppers Maldon & Tiptree.

Khadean Campbell gave the Bees a seventh minute lead, but Tilbury were offered a way back into the contest when Ben O’Brien was deemed to have handled a cross.

However, Lewis Smith’s spot-kick was comfortably saved by Bees goalkeeper George Marsh.

Former Basildon skipper Tommy Barton’s long range thunderbolt proved too hot for Marsh to handle and found the top corner of the net.

The encounter was turned on its head within three minutes as Brian Moses used his strength to hold off Ashley Pibworth and fire home from close range.

Barton ensured Tilbury would claim all three points by nodding Lee Burns’ free-kick into the top corner of the net.

Basildon ended the clash with 10 men as Joe Staunton saw red for an over-the-ball challenge.

Although Tilbury were not at their best, Harrison felt that should be seen as a positive.

“Winning when you are not at your best is the sign of a good side,” added Harrison.

“It’s a very good indication that we’re going in the right direction.

“Our players are not going to be firing all the time but, when the performances are lower than the standard we have set, it’s important to pick up points.

“If we want to get promotion, we can’t be losing two games in a row.

“We need to get back on a run and I am pleased with how they responded to the defeat against Maldon.

“It’s just another part of the process.

“We have got to keep believing in what we do. We stuck to the game plan and, in the end, we wore Basildon down.

“That’s what we have to continue doing.”