Clare's away day joy as Louth Town show class

LOUTH Town boss Daryl Clare could hardly contain his delight following his side's 3-2 triumph at Shirebrook.

The victory kept the White Wolves second in the Northern Counties East League Division One table.

And Clare was full of admiration for his injury-hit squad.

"In many respects that was our best performance of the season," he said.

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"The lads were tired and carrying niggles, but we insist on playing good football and covering each other's backs when needed and always giving everything.

"With the quality we had missing from the side it was a superb effort."

Shirebrook had something to prove having suffered three straight defeats going into Saturday's clash.

But Louth had no time for sympathy and immediately put the pressure on.

And it was no surprise when skipper Carl Martin opened the scoring after just ten minutes when he headed home from a Matt Kennedy corner.

The home side were stung into action after that and Louth's defenders had to be on their toes as Shirebrook pressed.

Town hit back and went close with Kennedy pulling the strings.

And when the equaliser came in the 33rd minute it came as a slight surprise – Jack Vernon heading past MacTaggart.

Shortly after, Louth's injury's woes worsened when Jack Wightwick had to be replaced by Michael Broughton.

The equalising goal only served to increase Louth's efforts, though, and Kennedy threatened several times before his flair finally paid off in the 43rd minute and restored the visitors' lead.

Shirebrook continued to work hard to get back on level terms after the break only to find MacTaggart in good form.

The game started to get more physical and two home players were shown yellow cards along with Louth's Michael Armstrong who was then substituted, with Paul Goodhand replacing him.

The game seemed all over with a quarter of an hour to go when Andrew Willoughby made it 3-1 to Louth, but Shirebrook still refused to give in.

Kennedy left the field in the 80th minute for a deserved rest and the energetic Rocky Rawlings replaced him.

The home side pulled another goal back at the very end of the game through substitute Lewis Jackson.

It was all too late for the home side, however, and Louth took the three points, consolidating their place just one point behind the leaders.

"Now we are looking forward to every match," added Clare.

"We are at home tomorrow night in another league match and then at home again on Saturday against Dunkirk in the FA Vase.

"The lads have been delighted with the support we've been getting, so we hope our 12th man will be there at both matches to help us keep this momentum going.

"We still have a few injuries but there is such a great spirit in the dressing room that everyone wants to play.

"Hopefully we have the depth of squad and the desire to keep going."