Ricky Marheineke felt his St Ives Town team did not deserve to lose a game in which their captain’s 30-yard strike rescued a point in added time. 

Ives secured a point when Michael Richens’ 97th-minute goal earned a 1-1 draw at home to Barwell on February 25 and eased the hosts towards safety in the Southern League Premier Division Central. 

“Richens does one [goal] a season; it was a great strike,” Marheineke told the club website. 

“I think the celebrations said it all and how much it meant to the players.” 

Ives returned to Quattro-Tech Westwood Road for the first time since a 3-2 victory against Hitchin Town on February 4. 

Since that time, Marheineke’s men have picked up just one point on their travels, while the other three games have all ended in defeat. 

“The last two weeks have been an absolute slog; journeys away from home, suspensions, injuries,” he said. 

“We’ve played top teams during that period and performances have not been great. 

“On Saturday, it was about trying to get a positive result and I’m delighted with them.” 

READ MORE: St Ives Town earn dramatic equaliser in Barwell draw

Despite being forced to defend several crosses into their own penalty box, Marheineke thought Ives were largely dominant but lacked a clinical edge when chances arose. 

The Ives chief is hoping to welcome back both Nabil Shariff from suspension and Charlie Johnson from injury for the trip to Basford United on March 4, 3pm. 

And with the prospect of bringing in one or two signings into the club, he has set a benchmark for his players with nine league games to go. 

“It was important we got a positive performance and for large parts, we did,” Marheineke added. 

"We probably need six points minimum to guarantee safety and we will look to get them as quickly as possible.”