Bourne Town beat West Bridgford in the United Counties League

Manager Michael Goode praised the professionalism and relentless drive to succeed of his Bourne Town squad as they moved another step closer to league title glory on Saturday.

The Wakes were 2-0 away winners at West Bridgford for their 11th successive league victory in Division One of the United Counties League.

They now head into a midweek match at Sandiacre on Tuesday night knowing that another win will put them on the brink of being crowned league champions over the Easter weekend.

The Wakes are currently 11 points clear of second-placed Clipstone who have five games remaining while Bourne also possess a far superior goal difference.

Goode said: "The lads have been really good. They have been relentless and the standards have remained high.

"We have also been training really hard and it has gone up 15 or 20 per cent in terms of intensity and quality.

"The players have remained really professional and they have gone at every game hard.

"You always say that it's the business end of the season after January and credit to the lads because they have really stepped up."

Bourne were missing Zac Allen for Saturday's trip to Nottinghamshire but handed a first league start to Jack Wilson.

And it was the former Blackstones player who created the goal for Bourne to take the lead in the seventh minute as his back post cross was headed home by Will Bird.

Bird came close to doubling the lead shortly after with a fierce shot that ratted the crossbar before he rolled another effort agonisingly wide with a deft flick from a low cross.

The second goal arrived in the 28th minute as Robbie Ellis did well to win possession out wide before his low cross was flicked in by James Hill-Seekings.

Bourne continued to look the more threatening side as the match wore on with Bird heading wide from a corner.

Both sides were then reduced to 10 men in the second half as Bourne's Josh Edmondson was red carded for a forceful challenge.

A home player also received the same punishment for his tackle on Wilson who had to be taken off and needed hospital treatment for the gash on his leg.

Substitute Zak Munton twice came close to increasing Bourne's lead as he saw one shot saved before firing wide after some good skill had created a clear opening.

The Wakes again defended well with Herbie Panting returning to their starting line-up as they restricted West Bridgford to shots from distance with goalkeeper Dan Swan and his back-line keeping a fourth successive clean sheet to send a superb following of away support home happy.

Goode added: "It was a good win and, from the start, there was a good atmosphere.

"We took two buses of supporters and, with those who also travelled in cars, it made up three-quarters of the attendance and helped create a proper atmosphere.

"The fans are all getting really excited and it was just about making sure that the players got their focus on and that is what they did.

"We were decent enough without getting into top gear."

Allen will return for the midweek trip to Sandiacre while Edmondson will be available before his three-match suspension starts at the weekend.