JOHN Sussex believes Barking are a club Basildon United should look to emulate.

Justin Gardner’s Barking are comfortably in mid-table, sitting 11th in the Isthmian North standings, while the Bees secured safety with a 2-1 win over Soham Town Rangers last weekend.

Basildon will welcome Barking to the Ho Ho Stadium this afternoon and Sussex is targeting two consecutive victories for the first time since succeeding Neil Blackburn as boss.

Sussex said: “I don’t think their budget is too dissimilar to ours, so they have shown what is achievable for a club like us.

“They have been a little bit up and down with their form of late and we will be going into the game looking to get three points.

“I have huge respect for Justin and what they have achieved to get into mid-table.

“Getting back-to-back wins would be wonderful.

“We have been competitive in all six games since I came in as manager.”

Callum Taylor continued his fine run of form by putting Basildon ahead at Soham last time out, while Kurt Smith grabbed his first goal for the club.

Sussex was without a number of key players, including Eli Benoit, for the trip.

And the former Witham Town assistant manager will have a selection headache after the victory in Cambridgeshire.

“We have got close to a full squad and we did well last weekend,” added Sussex.

“We ensured our Isthmian North safety with the win at Soham Town Rangers.

“I have a selection headache, but that is what you want as a manager.”