DEFENDER James Quilter is hoping to battle through until the end of the season despite needing an operation on his injured knees. The former Tottenham trainee has been carrying the knock for a while now but didn t let it prevent him from turning in a Man

DEFENDER James Quilter is hoping to battle through until the end of the season despite needing an operation on his injured knees.

The former Tottenham trainee has been carrying the knock for a while now but didn't let it prevent him from turning in a Man of the Match performance at Thurrock on Saturday and he's hoping he'll be able to see out the season.

"They're a little bit sore, I've been icing them and looking after them, I think we'll just take each game as it comes, that's a bit of a clich�, but hopefully they'll be alright," Quilter told the Herts Advertiser after Saturday's game.

"I've been told I need an operation, but I think there's only about 15 weeks left so hopefully I can have it at the end of the season and rest up then."

The conditions made flowing football difficult at Ship Lane on Saturday and Quilter admitted it was tough going. However Saints did enough to hold on for a share of the spoils and the Quilter felt City were worthy of a point.

"I don't think the conditions really helped either team," he said.

"The pitch was poor and it was windy and the rain was tough. They've been on a good run and got some good results against top teams. They're up in the play-offs and I think we competed really well."

Drew Roberts came closest to giving Saints all three points with a rocket of a shot that came back off the underside of the bar and Quilter revealed he thought it was going in.

"He cut inside, Drew, and he hit a couple of screamers on Boxing Day and I saw it moving all over the place, I expected it to land in the top corner but unfortunately it hit the bar and came back out."

Despite their good performance City were indebted, not for the first time, to custodian Paul Bastock for a fine save late on to deny Matt Bodkin taking all the points for Thurrock.

"That's what he does," added Quilter. "He didn't have much to do but sometimes when he's called up late on like that he can nick you a point."

The point at Thurrock made it seven points from nine from their last three games and Quilter says the team regard that as a good return after a blip a couple of weeks ago.

"We had two or three games where we didn't perform and didn't pick up any points and we were disappointed with ourselves," continued Quilter.

"So to get seven points out of nine and coming here and getting a point isn't a bad result and we'll just look forward to Staines next week and Havant on the Monday.

"Staines beat us earlier on in the season so it'll be nice to go there and give them one back.