Diggin delivers another three points for Saints

Brackley Town manager Kevin Wilkin saw his side pick up back-to-back wins

Steve Diggin was the match-winner once again as Brackley Town beat Gloucester City 1-0 in Saturday’s Vanarama National League North clash.

Saints’ top scorer bagged the game’s only goal late on at St James Park to earn Kevin Wilkin’s side back-to-back wins and three more crucial points.

In a barren first half both sides put in plenty of endeavour but struggled to master the difficult conditions as a gale blew around St James Park. But that gave way to an exciting second period that saw Saints snatch a second success in five days.

Gloucester will feel they deserved at least a draw having seen a second half effort ruled out for offside while Lewis Hall’s header came back off the bar and they were denied only by the post as Harry Williams missed out with the game still goalless at the time.

Saints also went close shortly after the restart when Sam Smith’s header was kept out by Jasbir Singh.

But Sam Hornby was the busier in the first half and both keepers had important work to do in the second period.

Joe Clarke took full advantage of the elements to twice test Singh and Hornby saved well from Calvin Dinsley. Diggin got the game’s only goal in the 82nd minute after fine work by substitute David Moyo who gathered a loose ball and unselfishly picked out his strike partner who fired past Singh.

Obi Anoruo had a late chance to equalise but shot too close to Hornby before defender Sam Avery received a straight red card in added-time. At the final whistle both sides could take credit for 100 per effort effort in trying conditions and an excellent second half of football as acknowledged by manager Kevin Wilkin.

He said: “Nothing spoils a game of football like strong winds. Both sides got sucked into the conditions but we played well and tried to pass it even though it was very difficult.

“It was a scruffy win but we got the all-important goal and rode our luck at bit at other times.

“David [Moyo] came off the bench and made the difference, he was combative and yet made the right decision in passing to Steve [Diggin] who has more of the goal to shoot at. Steve [Diggin] shows good composure in front of goal.”