MARK Beesley says Saturday’s win over Radcliffe was critical for his Warrington Town side’s confidence – even if he admits they “rode their luck” in the second half.

In defending the advantage given to them by Stefan Mols’ early goal, Yellows were forced onto the back foot and produced several pieces of committed last-ditch defending.

Goalkeeper Tony Thompson was also called into action and the visitors also struck the woodwork, but Town held on to end a three-match losing run and keep their first clean sheet since the second game of the season.

> Town 1 Radcliffe 0 - read the full match verdict here

Having seen the rub of the green often go against his side this season, Beesley says the players had certainly earned their share of fortune having passed up the chance to make life more comfortable for themselves during a first half they dominated.

Mols ghosted in to power home a head from Mitch Duggan’s cross in the fourth minute and the Spanish midfielder’s first goal of the season proved decisive.

“It’s good to get back to winning ways which is important,” Beesley said.

“We’ve had a difficult two weeks and results have gone against us, so we needed to win to get that little bit of confidence back.

“All of a sudden, we’ve got a bit nervous and that happens – we’ve got a certain way of playing that we believe in but naturally, confidence wanes when things go against you.

“The lads started great in the first half, we got a great goal and if I’m being ultra-critical, we perhaps should have been in more of a lead.

“History tells us this season that we’re not keeping enough clean sheets, so we wanted to be tight.

“Let’s be honest – we rode our luck at times. Tony has made some great saves, we’ve got bodies in the way of things.

“Sometimes when things are going against you, that kind of character and attitude can come out and it’s good to see. We were helping each other out and we needed a little bit of that.

“We haven’t really had luck all season but I think the lads earned it today.

“If you’re them, you’re disappointed to come away with nothing but it’s happened to us in recent weeks.”