MANAGER Paul Britton described goalkeeper Harvey Rivers as ‘outstanding’ as Yate Town grabbed a big Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West victory over Winchester City at the Jelf Stadium last Saturday.

And now, as the Bluebells travel east to mid-table Didcot Town on Saturday, Britton hopes it will not be too long before his side are safe from relegation.

The victory over Winchester, via a Luke Bryan goal, continued Yate’s revival from a three-month slump which had not seen them win until they beat Bishops Cleeve earlier this month.

Yate followed that with a draw against Paulton Rovers away before Saturday’s top win.

Britton is not counting any chickens before they are hatched as far as survival in the league is concerned, but he is mighty pleased with the way the team responded to a dreadful 3-1 home defeat by AFC Totton a month ago.

Britton said: “We are on a mini run at the moment. After the Totton game, everyone was disappointed and we knew we had to bounce back.

“We went to Shortwood and got ourselves in front and we travelled to Taunton Town and gave them a good game.

“So the players have responded in the right way. The frustrating thing is that we have known how good they are all year.

“Winchester was a terrific win. It was backs to the wall for the last ten minutes and the players really dug in deep and managed to hold onto the win.”

And he particularly praised former Cirencester Town 'keeper Rivers, saying: “Harvey was outstanding. We were down to ten men because we had used our subs up in the last ten minutes and he made some brilliant saves.”

Yate have some tough matches on the horizon but there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

Britton added: “Mathematically, we are not safe yet.”