Cottesmore AFC beat Sileby Town in the Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division

Manager John Rawdon felt his Cottesmore side had produced their most complete performance of his reign in Saturday's success at Sileby Town.

The Rutland side secured a 3-1 victory against a home team who had started the day in fifth spot in the Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division table.

First half goals from Mark Tinsley and Will Rawdon had put Cottesmore in control of the contest before Sileby struck back after the break to halve the deficit.

The visitors then held firm under a strong spell of pressure before Aaron Ridout wrapped up the win with a third Cottesmore goal.

Boss Rawdon said: "It was a really professional and probably our most complete team performance of the season.

"We had been beaten by Allexton the week before and that was down to their desire which was much more than ours.

"I asked the lads to show more desire on Saturday. We played well in a game that really tested us and I was really pleased.

"It was a tough game because Sileby are a decent side with some good players and we had to be at our best to win the game and thankfully we were really good in every department."

Cottesmore have been boosted by the return of two popular players to the club with Luke Smith and Colton Cropper both coming back to the ranks.

Smith has been with Asfordby in the United Counties League this term while Cropper has returned after six months travelling abroad.

Cropper has undertaken the goalkeeping duties in the past two games with summer signing Kevan Henry absent due to work commitments as manager Rawdon looks for a strong second half of the season.

He added: "This season has been about consolidation and rebuilding the squad but we still have to be competitive.

"We need to keep repeating these sort of performances because we don't want this result to count for nothing and be a flash in the pan.

"I am hoping we can find a bit of consistency and the squad will settle down a bit now.

"It's great to have both Luke and Colton back with us as well. Luke had a really good game on Saturday and he was back to the player who we remember at Cottesmore.

"Colton has also come back in and done a really good job. He's a good character to have around the team and hopefully we can get him back out on pitch shortly as well."

They went into Saturday's match looking to complete a league double over Sileby and it was the hosts who went closest to breaking the deadlock with a shot that rattled the post.

Cottesmore then started to gain control of the contest and took the lead when Ewan Simmons' trickery created an opening for a pinpoint cross that was converted by Tinsley.

Cropper made a couple of crucial stops to prevent Sileby from equalising before Cottesmore doubled their lead as Will Rawdon thumped home a fierce free-kick which went into the net off the underside of the crossbar.

Rawdon had a chance to make it three before the interval but his well-struck shot was well saved by the home goalkeeper.

Sileby came out strongly for the second half and were awarded a penalty following a foul in the box but the spot kick was smashed against the top of the crossbar before flying to safety.

The hosts did pull a goal back two minutes though through Isaac Hetterley which sparked a strong spell of Sileby pressure.

However, Cottesmore's defensive trio of Shaun Denigan, Ridout and Craig McJannet remained resolute.

And, then with 10 minutes remaining, Cottesmore forced a corner with Ridout powering home a header from the setpiece to spark a strong finish from the visitors.

Tinsley saw a good chance blocked before Brogan Woodham hit the post with a shot as Cottesmore continued to look to add to their tally.

They have now taken seven points from their last four games ahead of Saturday's home match with Barrow Town at Westray Park.