Neville Southall is getting results on and off the pitch according to Hastings United captain Jimmy Elford.

United are chasing a place in the play-offs following the former Welsh international goalkeeper's appointment as successor to Steve Lovell.

When asked what the biggest change has been under Southall's reign, Elford said: "Results."

United have lost just twice in the league since Southall took over in January and one of those reverses came against tomorrow's visitors Tooting and Mitcham.

Elford said: "Results have improved since Neville took over. We are a lot more organised, every player knows his job and as a team we function better as a whole.

"We are a little bit more of a team which has been reflected in the results.

"We are performing better. We are not conceding so many goals, we are looking a lot more solid at the back and we're going to score goals as we always create a lot of chances.

"In the whole time Neville has been here we have only been outfought or outplayed once and that was against Tooting."

Confidence is high after United picked up a 1-1 home draw with leaders AFC Wimbledon and followed that with a 2-1 away win at second-placed Horsham last Saturday.

Elford feels Southall is getting the best out of his players with his management style as he tries to keep United nipping at the heels of the play-off pack.

Elford said: "He has demanded more out of players than other managers in the past.

"He also makes it clear what he wants you to do so when you step out on to the pitch you know exactly what your responsibilities are.

"He is a disciplinarian but every manager uses fines and it is a good thing.

"He's not harsh but fair and from my point of view, as a schoolteacher, you have to have rules as it lets people know the boundaries.

"That's a professional side of the game he has brought in."

The skipper, who has been playing sweeper or central midfield in recent games, believes Southall's influence has impacted on the way the club is run.

Elford said: "The previous manager (Lovell) was also a pro but the club has become even more professional since Neville came.

"Chairman Dave Walters has now seen and heard from two different people how clubs should be run and that has really brought it home."

Southall will not be present tomorrow when Tooting visit as he has other engagements in Liverpool but Vince Moorton and Terry White will be in charge of teams affairs as they try to banish the memories of a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Imperial Fields last month.

Elford added: "There is a score to settle and Tooting will see a different Hastings United tomorrow."

United have put in a seven day letter for Eastbourne United's Andy Atkin, who can play a variety of positions.