Avro manager Alex Frost praised the resilience of his players as his side recorded an eighth win in nine league games with a hard-fought 2-1 success against Charnock Richard at the Vestacare Stadium a the weekend, writes Liam Bambridge.

Full back Kane Wallwork’s second goal in as many games broke the deadlock after an even first quarter of an hour, but the visitors were level by the interval courtesy of former Irlam striker Louis Holt’s third goal in two games for his new club. Liam Ellis put the home side back in front on the hour mark with an emphatic penalty after Michael Afuye had been tripped in the area, but Charnock refused to accept defeat and it took an impressive rearguard action to deny them a second equaliser.

“I was really pleased with the way we dug out that result,” admitted Frost. “Charnock are a good side, better than their league position suggests right now. They beat us in March and ended up finishing sixteen points ahead of us at the end of last season, so it is a sign of how far we have progressed that we were able to get the three points today against pretty much the same side that we played that night.”

And Frost reserved special praise for his central defensive partnership of Geffry Ebhote and Tommy Lent, who weathered the storm as the visitors launched an aerial bombardment in the last 20 minutes following the introduction of prolific striker Carl Grimshaw.

“We defended brilliantly as a team, but I thought those two were immense.

“They won countless headers to relieve the pressure on our goal, and put their bodies on the line when we needed them to do so. I was delighted with both of their performances.”

The only downside to another excellent win was an injury sustained by key defender Jack Worrall, who hobbled off immediately after the visitors’ equaliser, and now faces a race to be fit for this weekend’s massive local derby against Wythenshawe Town.

“It is too early to say right now, but obviously we are keeping our fingers crossed for Jack, as he has been a big part of success so far this season,” said Frost. “We are also missing Joe Rathbone, Kyle Harrop and Jack Morrow because of injury right now, so we are a bit short on numbers.

“But it is the same for all teams, injuries are part and parcel of the game, and that is why we have added a couple of new faces in the last few days.”

One of the new arrivals is young Ashford United forward Kevin Spinelli, who has signed dual registration forms and made his debut as a second half substitute on Saturday, while Frost has also brought in experienced midfielder Malachi Slaven.