'A credit to the club' - Jon McDonald delighted after big Dunston win at Matlock
Dunston manager Jon McDonald was full of praise for his side’s performance during Saturday's 2-1 win at Matlock Town, which opened up some breathing room in the race for the play-offs.
The back-to-back NPL East Division play-off finalists increased their hopes of making it three on the bounce after they knocked off Matlock to move four points behind them in the table.
All three goals came from penalties, and while Declan Lambton saved Will Shaw’s initial spot-kick, he was able to convert the rebound to give Dunston a telling lead just two minutes from time.
“I thought we were excellent, and on the overall complexion of the game, while they had a good go in the early stages of the second half, we deserved to win,” McDonald said post-match.
“When they scored, they had momentum, but we stood up and reacted to adversity.
“I said to the players after the game, they’re a credit to the club with what they put in today.”
With Bradford (Park Avenue) losing to Garforth Town, Saturday's win has opened up a four-point gap between Dunston in fifth and Bradford in sixth.
Park Avenue have a game in hand, which they play at Heaton Stannington on Wednesday night, but it means that their play-off place is in Dunston’s hands going into the final seven games of the season.
Wins at the home of fellow play-off sides will give Dunston massive confidence heading into post-season football, but McDonald knows there’s still work to be done to ensure his side remains in the top five.
“Football’s all about momentum, and we have that at the right time. We’ve got seven big games left now,” he added.
“We’re not going to get carried away. That’s a great performance, and it’s been a good week, but we’ll have another good one in training to get ready for Garforth next Saturday.
“It’ll be a tough game, but if we play like that, we’ll be okay.”
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