Steve Housham pleased as Gainsborough Trinity return to winning ways

The veteran dived to meet a Courtney Wildin cross to send Brackley back down the M1 empty handed.

It was an excellent finish to win any match and got the Blues back to winning ways in front of the Martin and Co Arena faithful for the first time since Boxing Day.

The big news pre kick off was a name on the substitutes bench as Adam Quinn had his name on the teamsheet for the first time this year after recovering from a hernia operation.

There was another returnee in the starting eleven as Stephen Brogan made his first appearance since serving a suspension following a red card in the loss to North Ferriby United at the beginning of January.

Brogan was one of two changes to the side that were defeated by Bradford last time out with the other seeing a start for assistant manager Darryn Stamp. Liam Davis and Kane Richards were the men to drop out, with the latter having returned to parent club Chester.

It was a lively start from both sides with the visitors forcing Stamp to miscue over his own crossbar when under pressure from an early corner.

Glenn Walker then tested Jan Budtz from the edge of the box but it was comfortably dealt with.

Minutes later and Brackley had the best chance of the first half. Steve Diggin broke down the left flank and floated a cross to David Moyo at the far post who headed just passed the post.

Then came a couple of chances for Trinity when first Stamp forced a save out of Sam Hornby with volley prior to Craig Reid causing Hornby to dive to his left to keep the game level.

Ten minutes after the break and the Blues took the lead.

On loan Sheffield Wednesday full back Courtney Wildin carried the ball into the Brackley half, looked up and picked out Stamp at the far post with an excellent curling cross which was finished with aplomb by the veteran.

The goal buoyed the Trinity players and you could see the confidence it gave them as they looked more comfortable in possession and potent on the counter attack.

Brackley, in all fairness, could have been level soon after when Moyo found space in the area and dragged his shot wide of the far post.

Midfielder Matt Lowe came even closer five minutes later, turning in the box and forcing Budtz into a save at his near post.

In the remaining 20 minutes it was Trinity who should have added to the scoreline.

A slick period of passing between Jamie Yates, Brogan and Simon Russell, resulted in the latter bursting past a defender and trying an audacious chip over the keeper that went narrowly over the bar.

There was still time late on for Reid to force Hornby into a smart save and for Jonathan D’Laryea to call the Town stopper into action.

Manager Steve Housham was pleased with the way his players reacted to the defeat to Bradford last time out.

He said: “First half was one of them, it was dead, and I said at half time we needed a spark, which most of them did and it was an improvement from the Bradford game so I’m delighted with the three points.”

“Bradford was a poor game. They got a reaction from there defeat and I think we’ve had ours tonight.”

“Hednesford will be a tough one as Frank Sinclair works wonders wherever he goes, like he did with Colwyn Bay. I expect a very tough game down there and we have that win on the board which just breeds confidence.”

“It is important that we win in our own backyard and I’m delighted for those players tonight as we have all come under some criticism in our performances.”

“It wasn’t a classic but you will take the clean sheet and the three points any day of the week.”

Gainsborough Trinity: Budtz, Roma, Lacey, Wildin (Davis 76), D’Laryea, Picton, Russell, Brogan, Stamp (Newsham 84), Reid, Yates. Subs (not used): Quinn, Karkach, Bemrose.

Brackley Town: Hornby, English, Macdonald, Clarke (Winters 81), Slade, Mills (Smith 89), Lowe, Walker, Moyo, Diggin, Batchelor. Subs (not used): Morley, Marsden, Graham.

Goalscorers: Stamp 55.

Bookings: Moyo.

Referee: Mr A Tankard.

Attendance: 252.