Bourne Town beat Hucknall Town in the United Counties League Premier Division North

A hard-working performance reaped its rewards for Bourne Town as they recorded back-to-back league wins with victory at Hucknall Town on Saturday.

The Wakes ran out 3-2 victors in the United Counties League Premier Division North clash to maintain their strong start after winning promotion last season.

They had gone in on level terms at the break but upped their work-rate in the second period to mark their first away match of the season with a victory.

Manager Michael Goode said: "The first half was really energy sapping and, although we've got some really fit lads now, we looked dead on our feet for about 15 minutes after we had started well.

"We had put so much into the start that we ran out of a bit of steam but we swapped a few things around at half-time because it was just important that we didn't lose the game.

"We had to work harder, close the spaces and hopefully then we would then get the chance to show our quality and that's what happened.

"We got a bit of luck with their third goal but, if you work hard, that oftens happens and, at 3-1, we just went into cruise control.

"We passed it really well and looked really good and solid."

Zac Allen had gone close for Bourne with an early effort that was saved by home keeper Adam Binks before the Wakes took a seventh minute lead.

Binks took too long over a clearance and was closed down by Will Bird who slid in to win the ball before tapping home.

Allen fizzed another shot past the post before Hucknall equalised in the 12th minute as a deflected effort fell into the path of Niall Towle who slotted home the equaliser.

Zak Munton had a decent strike well saved by Binks before Hucknall came close to taking the lead when Luis Parkes unleashed a shot from 25 yards that hit the crossbar.

Bird curled another effort just over for the Wakes while Richard Jones headed narrowly wide from a corner on the stroke of half-time.

Ex-Spalding striker Brad Wells went close for the hosts early in the second half before Bourne went back in front just before the hour mark when Henry Dunn drilled a shot into the bottom corner of the home net.

Former Stamford and Spalding striker Cameron Johnson was introduced for his debut shortly after following his arrival on a month's loan from Sheffield FC.

And Bourne's third goal then arrived in the 63rd minute when Munton chased down a long ball and pressured a home defender into heading past his own goalkeeper.

Bourne had chances to further increase their lead with Brad Gothard heading wide when well placed while Allen curled another effort just wide.

The hosts did reduce the arrears in the fifth minute of injury-time when Cash Rowe converted following a good save from Dan Swan but it didn't deny Bourne their second win from three league outings since promotion.

Goode added: "We will play better this season and lose games but it's so important when you're away from home that you don't get beaten.

"We worked hard to create a bit of our own luck and got the three points which was all that mattered."

Bourne host Lincoln United tomorrow night (Tuesday) at the JJ Mac Stadium.