Hard work ahead says boss, but Boston United enjoy a good week as they rise out of the drop zone

The 2-1 midweek win over Gateshead was followed by Saturday's home derby win over Scunthorpe United, also by a 2-1 scoreline, and Hurst smiled: “There is still a lot of work to do, but it's a start.

“When you're on a difficult run, to get that win the other night and then go and back it up, which the players have done, is a fantastic feeling.

“It probably added a little bit more with the fact it was against a local rival that only beat us a couple of weeks ago in the cup.

“It feels good and hopefully sends people away happy.

“It has been difficult for everyone associated with us – there's no hiding away from it. So we have to enjoy the good times.

“We're not getting carried away. We have played against and beaten two teams that are below us in the table.

“However, our performances against Eastleigh and Southend showed we are moving in the right direction, though there's still lots of hard work to go.

“Let's enjoy it and see what comes next.”

Forward Tom Cursons followed up his midweek brace with two more on Saturday and Hurst said: “Tom has been frustrated at times and I don't think his form has been as good.

“He is tough on himself when he is not scoring many in training or finishing. That is fine to a degree and we can all talk about standards and documentaries on the best professionals that are hard on themselves.

“But there has to a time when that can become a negative.

“You have to understand you're not going to score every single chance you get.

“You're not always going to be as good as you want to be. But you have to keep working hard, keep getting yourself into those positions and putting yourself forward, as he did with the penalty.

“It was obvious he was going to be the one to take it.

“For his second goal, I think we all thought he should have passed it. But he hit it and found the bottom corner.

“I am really pleased for him and I am sure there will be more to come.”

However, man of the match went to Jack Holmes and Hurst said: “Jack played very well.

“He earned the right to start tonight, albeit it wasn't a straightforward decision because of Ken (Aboh) and Ollie (Bostock) in terms of I think they've still given us a threat.

“Performances of late have been better in the main, despite the defeat at Eastleigh.

“But Jack came on that day, and that was the start of it really. He didn't have loads of minutes but he made a positive impact.

“He has showed the right intent in training and looked brighter. It feels like he is being more positive.

“That carried on on Tuesday night when he came on.

“Today he got the start with no favouritism on my part. But I was hoping he could build on what he had shown and not get an opportunity and flatter a little bit.

“But that wasn't the case and he did very well.”

He added: “We had five players not even involved today, which has got to be a first for us as a football club in terms of quality players certainly.

“There will be different times in the season when people step forward and different moments just in games.

“The bench did not make a massive impact today, as they did on Tuesday against Gateshead.

“But there will be plenty of games when they do.

“We have to enjoy it when we are playing well. Some players might feel they are not at the forefront of my thoughts, but it can change very quickly.

“They are the ones that often make my decisions for me, not just plucking an idea out of thin air.

“It is what I see day in day out, particularly in games but also in training as well.

“And Jack has certainly had a good couple of weeks.”

After Tuesday night's National League Cup game with Leicester City, Boston have a free weekend ahead and Hurst said: “We will see how we train and how play first and foremost.

“There is a breather from the league, in some ways at the wrong time, having got a couple of wins – but we know the schedule.

“We can perhaps work on a few things and get some training into players that I think need it, coming back from slight injuries, nothing major.

“And we can maybe do some work tactically again just trying to ram messages home.

“But it is a lot better place to be in, having won the last two league games.”