BRIDGWATER Town player-manager Dave Pearse said his side “never got out of second gear” during their 1-0 victory over Longwell Green on Saturday.

The striker paid tribute to the struggling side’s approach to the match, however, and said: “They made it difficult for us by packing the midfield, and they got in the way of everything we tried.

“We huffed and puffed but got there in the end - I can’t have too many complaints with a win and a clean sheet.”

Pearse also praised Tom Stone, the centre-half on dual registration with Taunton Town who made his debut on Saturday.

“He played really well,” Pearse said.

“Aside from one mistake [a short backpass] he was really solid and looks he’ll fit in well.

“He wasn’t getting many games at Taunton and Lee Begg has taken a bit of a break from football, so we thought we’d have a look at what Tom could do.”

Next up for the Robins is a trip to Bridport tomorrow (Wednesday), though there is a risk of the match being called off for a second time due to the current freezing weather.

If it goes ahead, Pearse expects a tough encounter against a side he said were “brilliant” in August’s drawn reverse fixture.

"They have a lot of games in hand and if they win them they'll be up around us in the top six," Pearse said.

"Fortunately we have pretty much a full squad to pick from, but we know it will be a challenge."