MANAGER Dave Webb praised Swindon Supermarine’s best performance of the season as they triumphed at fellow play-off hopefuls North Leigh to strengthen their claims for promotion.

Marine saw their six-match winning streak ended by a 2-2 draw at home to Tiverton last time out but were soon back in their old habit with a 2-1 success on the road.

The victory keeps Marine third in the Division One South & West table and they have a hefty nine-point cushion on those teams chasing the play-off places.

“Saturday probably epitomised our progress as a team,” said Webb.

“We were probably at our best and we needed to be against a good North Leigh side.

“The football we played and the way the players worked together, we could have won by more than the odd goal.

“The overall performance and the way the team functioned was probably the performance of the season for me.

“It was a terrific win and you couldn’t ask for much more than to do the double over North Leigh, it is a great achievement.”

Sam Morris gave Marine the lead after 13 minutes, netting at the second attempt after his initial shot came back off the post.

The visitors held onto their advantage at the break and doubled it swiftly after the restart as Ash Taylor converted a cross from new signing Connor Thompson.

It was not quite the perfect performance from Marine, though, as they surrendered their clean sheet when Lance Williams netted a consolation for the hosts in the dying minutes.

Webb added: “The first goal was from Sam Morris.

“With the injuries he came into the team and we had been working on the midfield players in training and what we wanted them to do.

“His goal epitomised everything that the lads had been working on.

“He put a good ball into Connor Waldon, who has set him up, and he has hit the post but followed the ball in and put it in on the rebound.

“It is pleasing for the coaches when you see a goal that comes out of the training session on the Thursday night to give us the lead.

“The second goal was at the start of the second half and Connor Thompson has done well on debut.

“He got down the right-hand side and pulled the ball back to the edge of the box where Ash Taylor, a centre half, has hit a fantastic strike on the half-volley into the bottom corner.

“It is exciting times to watch the team play so well against a more experienced North Leigh team.

“Anybody who watched the game would say we were good value for our win.

“I know it is a cliché but we just move onto the next game now. Taunton are second and we moved up to third with that win so it will be another difficult game next weekend.”