Nantwich Town 3
Stamford 1

DANNY Johnson praised his players’ resilience on Tuesday after they ended a four-match wait to win in a league game.

The Dabbers did not relinquish the lead from the moment Steve Foster headed an opening goal inside the first 30 seconds, though the manager believes they are capable of better.

He said: “It’s not a relief to win, as I expect these lads to win football matches because of the way they’ve performed over the past few months “I know it wasn’t vintage, we had to grind out a result.

“It’s been disappointing to let slip a lot of points in recent matches but the lads dug deep, defending solidly apart from when they scored.”

Foster’s header, from full back Andrew Pearson’s cross, stunned Stamford.

The visitors attempted to rally when Jordan Smith nodded towards goal, but his attempt did not trouble goalkeeper Steve James.

Charlie Binns escaped the attention of the Dabbers’ backline after quarter of an hour, only to scuff wide when well-placed.

He was left to rue his miss six minutes before the break when Josh Eastwood diverted Max Harrop’s cross into the net to double the home team’s tally at 2-0.

Stamford posed more of a threat in the second period, almost halving the deficit when Nabil Shariff shot wide.

Smith then bundled wide when it seemed certain he would score.

He did hit the target with a quarter of an hour left, pouncing on a loose ball to drill low out of James’ reach.

Johnson’s men almost added to their advantage when substitute Nick Haughton burst clear, though his finish did not match his run.

Another replacement, Aaron Burns, made safe the points for his side in stoppage time, heading in from close range.

They visit Barwell this Saturday.

Nantwich: James (GK), Pearson, White, Keogh, Davis, Frost, Eastwood, Devenney (Meaney 85), Deegan (Haughton 73), Foster, Harrop (Burns 73). Subs not used: Wilson, Clayton.