Yeovil Town manager Darren Way said that the 1-0 victory over Newport was a case of substance over style as Town pushed the gap between them and the relegation zone to 13 points.
Jack Compton’s penalty after quarter of an hour was enough to give Yeovil another valuable win in the fight to stay up, and maintained Way’s unbeaten run at home since becoming first team manager.
“I was a little disappointed with our performance, but I’m really pleased with the result,” said the Town boss.
“When we started off on this journey, Newport were the ones that we wanted to catch. I said to them before the game: this is our opportunity to go above them.
“To be in the situation that the players have been in since I’ve been manager is not easy, but the way they’ve dealt with the pressure is fantastic.”
Yeovil kept their seventh clean sheet in eight, and Way credited his defence for yet another impressive defensive display.
“I thought the back four and Krysiak today were outstanding,” said the gaffer.
“Artur’s performance goes to show that even at this time of year, players are playing for their future.
“He wants to play for this football club, and I appreciate that so much as a manager.”
Tahvon Campbell won the penalty that led to the match-winner, and his performance was praised highly by his manager.
“He caused a lot of problems,” said Way, “I was really pleased with his performance in an attacking perspective. He’d be in my elite front three and he proved that today.
“It’s not easy playing in that front three, but I expect them to be confident. If you’re not, just pretend you’re confident! Before you know it, you’ll soon end up a better player.”
With the cushion now standing at thirteen points, Yeovil’s League Two status next season could be confirmed by next Saturday with victories against Stevenage and Exeter.
Way’s appointment initially raised questions, but the 36-year-old is happy that he has proved wrong his harshest critic: his wife!
“There was a lot of doubters, even my missus doubted me!
“That wasn’t nice, but I’ve proved her wrong!
“Having said that, it’s a fantastic achievement and when’s it mathematically done, we are going to party like we’ve never partied before.
He added, “Where this club was going, on the back of the last two years, it’s not nice being in that environment where you lose every week.
“It was hurting me, and what the players have done in a short space of time has been fantastic.
But any idea that Yeovil are going to coast to the end of the season has been quashed by the manager.
“It’s a target we had (to stay up), but we want to end this season strong,” said Way.
“We’re going to go for it, finish this season strong because they’re playing for their futures and we want to build up a fantastic football club.
“There’s a group of supporters cheering them on too, and they deserve to stay in this league.”