Jake Robinson believes Steven King’s positive approach has given Whitehawk’s squad a huge lift.

The Hawks have won two out of two since King was unveiled as the permanent successor to Darren Freeman who was sacked last month.

Those victories have moved them out of the Conference south relegation zone and six points clear of third-bottom Maidenhead.

Robinson has played a key role by scoring in both games to give him four league goals for the season – having netted just two in his previous 22 Conference south games.

Freeman will always hold a special place in Whitehawk’s history after leading them to three championships in four years but they seemed to have got stuck in a rut prior to his dismissal, with no league wins at home between mid-September and the end of January.

Caretaker boss Colin Reid failed to lift the side with back-to-back defeats in his two games at the helm.

But former Lewes and Macclesfield manager King has made an immediate impact which he hopes will continue away to Staines Town today.

Robinson says King’s encouragement and positive thinking has been a big factor in the last two games.

The former Albion striker said: “Immediately the new manager has come in and the spirit has lifted. Everyone is really enjoying playing and we have had two great results. Two goals for me is fantastic as well.

“It is not just the wins but we have put in two really good performances. We have looked solid defensively and dangerous going forward.

“Once going ahead, unlike many times this season, we have actually looked like we will go on to get another goal rather than sitting back and holding on to the lead.

“The encouragement has come from the sidelines to carry on trying to score goals and it has worked. We have put in two good performances and there is no reason why that can’t continue now. It is in our hands now.”

Robinson signed for Whitehawk last summer after being released by League Two side Northampton.

He remains baffled as to why Hawks have struggled this season, although he admits the increased competition for places has helped.

Reid signed five players on loan – Dominic Green, Ashley Carew, Loick Pires, Ian Gayle and Joe Obersteller – during his short stint in charge.

King has so far brought in former Ipswich and Gillingham striker Dean McDonald with a number of further signings in the pipeline.