Defensive stability is the source of Worcester win

Goals from Stefan Moore, Lee Chilton and Matt Dodd earned Brakes their fourth Skrill North victory of the season and quickly banished the memories of Saturday’s 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Guiseley.

However, it was the clean sheet - only the second league shutout since the opening-day win over Bradford - which most pleased manager Paul Holleran.

“I said to the team after Saturday that unless we keep clean sheets we won’t have a platform to do anything,” said Holleran.

“Against Guiseley we have failed to defend two corners in five minutes and just like the previous two games we found ourselves 2-0 down before we started playing - we need to be better than that.

“When you keep making mistakes like that you get punished, such is the quality of the league.”

Three penalty awards in their past two matches point to a change in fortunes for Brakes and Holleran says it is a clear indicator of the small margins between winning and losing at Conference level.

“Worcester are a decent side with good players and can count themselves a little unlucky.

“One or two things went our way and we had a good spell from the tenth to 30th minute when we scored a couple of goals.

“It was a dogged, gritty performance and bit of a role reversal in that it allowed us to play on the counter attack.

“But a clean sheet and three goals gives everyone a lift.”

After getting useful minutes into Josh Green, Lee Moore, Matt Dodd and Stefan Moore at Aggborough, Holleran is hopeful Craig Owen can play a part in tomorrow’s FA Trophy tie at home to Gainsborough Trinity.

However, loanee Luke Connolly has been ruled out for six to eight weeks with an ankle injury.