Grant’s half-time changes help ‘the old Paulsgrove’ to hit back for Hampshire Premier League victory

Jimmy Hird and Archie Scott netted in the final 25 minutes to fire second-placed Grove to victory.

But it was a different story in the first half.

The hosts fell behind inside 10 minutes before goalkeeper Luke Shields was forced off through injury on the half-hour, with youth team stopper Taylor Revy coming onto replace him.

Grant admitted his side were 'running around like headless chickens' in the opening period.

That prompted him to put centre half Jake Warlow up front for the second half and switch to a different formation.

And it was a tactical switch that paid off.

‘We weren’t at our best,' conceded Grant. ‘We spent the first 45 minutes running around like headless chickens.

‘I had to substitute my goalkeeper Luke Shields as he picked up an injury in the first half-hour.

‘There were a few tactical changes at half-time and we changed to three at the back for the second half.

'Jimmy Hird got our equaliser and we were totally dominant from then.

‘The second half we were back to the old Paulsgrove.

‘We had a lot of players missing, which did affect us a little.'

Paulsgrove face a tough run with this Saturday's trip to Liphook followed by games against title-chasers Bush Hill and Infinity.

But Grant feels the pressure is off his side.

‘Our thought process has not changed,' he added. ‘At the start of the season we said we’d be happy with top six. I think we’re two wins away from achieving that.

‘We’ll hopefully have players back for these tough games to come and the spirit is good in the camp.

‘We had a decent cup run as well, we’ve achieved what we wanted to this season really.'