SHRIVENHAM manager Michael McNally hailed his players after their 2-0 away win over Abingdon United.

McNally had previously been critical of his players as they failed to play to their potential, but saw a big improvement at the weekend as Levi Cox’s brace lifted the Barrington Park side up to fourth in the Division One West table.

“From the first whistle to the last, I thought we were outstanding,” McNally said.

“Abingdon played from the back but we kept our shape well, then we took the game be the scruff of the neck - Cox went past three players and put it in the bottom left corner.

“The second half was the same. They came out brightly but it was Cox that went around one player and slotted it in the bottom right corner.

“They (Abingdon) didn’t really trouble us. Hopefully we’ve turned a corner now - if they can’t push on from that, then there is something wrong.”

McNally went on to say he believes his players may have turned a corner after their impressive performance.

“I said to them after the game, you’ve set the bench mark now with the conviction and a bit of desire,” he added.

“We hadn’t been doing that for the last three or four games. I had a word with them before the game and we were outstanding “Hopefully we can kick on, get a few more wins under our belts and after about 15 games, we will see where we are.

“We played with desire and togetherness. We were winning every second ball and it was a joy to watch because it was a proper game of football.” Fairford made it nine wins in a row with a comfortable 3-1 away win over Tytherington Rocks thanks to Jason Millhench’s double and Jack Ellis’ penalty.

They are still in second place after that result, six points behind league leaders Hook Norton, but Gareth Davies will be feeling confident as his side also have two games in hand.

Purton also recorded a win, Matt Bennett, Joseph Herbert and Aaron Stevens all got on the scoresheet to help Justin Miller’s men to a 3-1 home win over Letcombe.

Miller’s side are now seventh in the league standings ahead of next week’s game against Woodstock Town.

Meabwhile, Matt Consett’s New College suffered a 7-1 thrashing at table toppers Hook Norton.