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Gary Elphick hailed the impact of new pair Joe Gbode and Jake Elliott as Hastings United’s season enjoyed a bank holiday take-off.

Striker Gbode scored twice on his debut as Hastings brushed aside Brightlingsea Regent 4-1 at The Pilot Field for their first win since returning to the Isthmian premier division.

And Elliott has slotted in seamlessly at right-back after his return from Eastbourne Borough, allowing Tom Chalmers to play in a more forward role.

The pair were crucial in Saturday’s win and in Monday’s 0-0 draw at Lewes – when Gbode, who has joined on work experience terms from League Two Gillingham, wasn’t far off snatching victory.

Joe Gbode in action for Hastings at Lewes | Picture: Scott White

Four points from the two holiday games has given everyone at the club a lift after they took only one point from their first three games.

And boss Elphick said it was heartening to see results improve after what he felt were good displays without reward in the opening games.

They look to build on the happy holiday when they go to Cray Valley PM in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Gbode is only 17 and that is how many minutes he took to score his first United goal, cancelling out Regent’s opener before Sam Hasler, Gbode again and James Hull made it comfortable.

Joe Gbode celebrates a goal against Brightlingsea Regent | Picture: Scott White

Elphick said: “The additions of Joe and Jake have been just what we needed and we were potent on Saturday.

"Joe is a physical player and his attitude is impressive too – any ball forward he is after it. He is only 17 so is a work in progress but we hope to keep him and develop him.

"And Jake looks better than ever, and is playing with confidence.”

Elphick said he’d been happy to use Gbode as a lone striker or pair him up with Ben Pope when United’s No9 is over his recent injury niggles.

"On Saturday we went 1-0 down and I was starting to think ‘here we go again’ but we were strong and could have won by more in the end,” the boss said. “At Lewes they had more of the possession but we had chances to win. Not many teams will go there and keep a clean sheet.”

Elphick warned that Cray Valley would be tricky Cup hosts tomorrow but said: “We’d love another run like last season.”

Joe and Jake hailed after Hastings United lift-off