BRIDGWATER Town player-manager Dave Pearse hailed "a very important three points" after his side defeated promotion rivals Westbury United 2-1 at Fairfax Park on Saturday.

Jake Brown and Jake Llewellyn scored the goals for the Robins, who climbed to second in the table as a result of their win - though the sides around them do have games in hand.

Pearse said: “The lads were great and it’s an important three points, especially as we hadn’t won for five games.

“We had to really dig in during the second half and it was a real team effort.

“They were a good side so we had to defend well, and we did.

“Sometimes those wins are more satisfying than smashing a team 6-0.

“It was important to win without Jack Taylor. People forget that we are in the top two Step 5 sides in the country for goals scored - Jack hasn’t scored all of them.

“We put in young Patrick O’Halloran up front, which was a big call, but he was brilliant.

"His attitude has been spot-on, as has Josh Gracie's in his first-team games, and it is important for the club to be bringing through young players and giving them a chance. It is something I am very keen to do."

The Robins face mid-table Hallen and rock bottom Shortwood United in their next two scheduled games, though a re-arranged fixture could be slotted between the two.

“We now have to be consistent and aim to pick up maximum points from our next two games to keep us up there," Pearse said.

“Jack Taylor, Sam Towler and Lee Begg are back for Saturday so we have some tough decisions to make. Mike Duffy is on the mend too and will hopefully be back in a few weeks.

“We still have to go to Bitton, Willand, [Plymouth] Parkway and Westbury so we need a big squad and everyone will have to play their part.”