Toolstation Western League Premier Division

Westbury Utd 1, Bridgwater Town 2

BRIDGWATER Town player-manager Dave Pearse hailed the character of his side after they staged a second half fightback to defeat Westbury United on Wednesday night.

After an even first half, which saw Jake Viney at his best to keep out two Westbury efforts in quick succession on 41 minutes, the Robins fell behind when Westbury's Ryan Bole scored direct from a 57th-minute corner.

Town were quickly back on level terms as centre-half Tom Ellis fired home a loose ball from a corner and the same player was involved shortly afterwards as the visitors took the lead.

From another corner, Ellis kept the ball alive and Jake Brown found the net.

Ross McErlain and Dave O'Hare came close to extending the lead but the two goals were enough for Bridgwater to secure an excellent three points - particularly in light of Saturday's home defeat to Bitton, which saw Town surrender a two-goal lead.

Pearse said: "There were a few home truths after Saturday and I needed a reaction - and I got one.

"We were absolutely fantastic and the work rate from all of them was brilliant.

"We had to weather an early storm but, once we got through that, we started playing and I think we edged the first half.

"I always think we've got a goal in us and we kept going despite going behind.

"We had three big players out in Harry Horton, Jake Llewellyn and Jamie Laird and it is a long trip to do midweek, so we were delighted to get the three points."

The victory sets Town up nicely for another tough test on Saturday, when Buckland Athletic visit Fairfax Park (3pm).

The Newton Abbot-based visitors did not play in midweek after a fire within a floodlight caused a postponement of their game against Plymouth Parkway, and Pearse is looking for another win to ensure his side keep pace with the frontrunners.

"Bradford Town are pulling away a bit at the top, Plymouth Parkway are up there and Exmouth keep winning - we have to be winning our home games," he said.

"Buckland will be physical and we have to be ready for that.

"After this match we have three cup games on the spin, so it is important we finish this run of league matches off with a win."

Horton will be back for Saturday, with Llewellyn rated 50/50 and Laird absent through injury.