Jack Payne lavished praise on Swindon Town for the tough underbelly they displayed in their 2-1 win over Sutton United on Tuesday.
Two stunning goals from Louis Reed and Jonny Williams put the Reds on top, who then had to defend brilliantly for the rest of the game to secure the three points, and Payne was full of praise for the grit showed by the team.
"It is a really tough place to go, we knew they would make it really difficult for us and we had to show a different side to our game," Payne told swindontownfc.co.uk.
"Two unreal goals from Reedy and Willow and from there, obviously it was a shame to concede the goal before half-time, but we really dug it out in the second-half and defended really well.
"It was a pleasing performance.
"We like to play good football, we like to pass the ball and the first 30 minutes on Tuesday we did that, but they got into the game a bit which was annoying and we had to defend well, which we did.
"We stood up and were accountable for the long balls and they had a few free-kicks which we defended well.
"We stuck together and there are going to be other games where we will have to do that, so we've just got to make sure we are up for the fight which we are."
Payne also went on to sing the praises of the riches Town have in the midfield area, which was proven by the two wonder goals scored by Louis Reed and Jonny Williams on Tuesday night.
"You need that quality," Payne continued.
"You are not always going to create that perfect goal and, although we did create quite a few chances, we didn't take the easier chances but you have Reedy who is a brilliant free-kick taker with great technique and he scored a brilliant free-kick.
"Jonny then follows it up with an absolute worldie, so you need those moments of quality if you want to be at the top of the table, which is what we're striving for."
