Neal Ardley admits today’s victory over Torquay United was ‘a grind’ – but had huge praise for his team.
The in-form Gulls arrived at Meadow Lane in free-scoring form.
But we produced a clinical and resilient display to stop them in their tracks.
“Today felt like a grind – it wasn’t free-flowing and I didn’t see too many of our patterns in there,” reflected Ardley at full-time.
“But the way we defended – the number of blocks we got in around the edge of the box – was brilliant – that’s why you keep clean sheets.
“When you come up against good teams like Torquay, and Dagenham on Tuesday night, you have to get every part of your game right.
“We’ve taken our chances when they’ve come and thrown our bodies in the way of everything.
“We’re getting a lot of basic stuff right, but let’s not get carried away. We’ve got to go about our work quietly and efficiently.
“We’re going to stay together and give it everything we’ve got - and see where that takes us.”
Zoumana Bakayogo was substituted in the second half after being on the receiving end of a robust challenge.
But Ardley revealed that it wasn’t an injury that saw the full-back make way for Dion Kelly-Evans.
“He got whacked on the shin and was in pain – but he was actually sick on the pitch,” said the boss. “We don’t know why because it wasn’t a knock on the head.
“Zoum, typically, wanted to carry on but our physio felt it was best to bring him off as a precaution.”