Woodford grabs winner to keep Gosport’s slim Southern League play-off dream alive

A Ryan Woodford goal early in the second half proved enough to secure Borough three vital points.

The win keeps them in the hunt, though they trail six points behind fifth-placed Tiverton who also have four games in hand.

Assistant manager Shaun Gale believed it was a well deserved three points.

'It was a good all-round strong performance,' he remarked.

'We knew that we needed the three points and that was what we got.

'Throughout the game we created some good chances and it could easily have been three-nil.

'Unfortunately the chances didn't fall to the players we needed them to.

'It is nice to get a wIn away from home and we looked comfortable in getting it.

'By no stretch of the imagination was it a pretty game, but at this stage of the season it is more about making sure you get the results.'

Borough goalkeeper Kingsley Latham - on loan from Southampton - produced the first save on15 minutes before Borough should have taken the lead.

A defensive slip provided Charlie Kennedy with a great chance.

Taken a little by surprise, though, Kennedy shot wide from a tight angle.

The second half was only six minutes old when Woodford grabbed the winning goal.

Theo Lewis delivered a pinpoint corner and the centre half planted his header into the net.

'It was great to see Woody get the goal with a powerful header at the back stick,' said Gale.

'I have known him since he was a kid and he is a good footballer.

'He always plays the game the right way.'

Borough survived a late scare when Josh Huggins hooked the ball off his own line.

'Keeping clean sheets is important and this was another one,' said Gale.

'Our defensive record is very good.

'We know there is still a lot to do if we are to make the play-offs.

'There are still 27 points to play for and our focus is to win as many as those as possible.

'At the moment we are not looking beyond the next game and picking up another three points.'

The next game is on rock bottom Dorchester Town’s 3G surface next Saturday.