Cottesmore AFC beat Ellistown in the Leicestershire Senior League
Cottesmore are aiming to finish their Leicestershire Senior League campaign with a flourish after another strong showing on Saturday.
The Rutland side have just three matches of their Premier Division season remaining but are heading into the finale in a decent run of form.
They have lost just once in their last seven league games after defeating fifth-placed Ellistown at Westray Park on Saturday.
First half goals from Brenden Parker and Colton Cropper had put Cottesmore in control of the contest.
Although the visitors cut the deficit early in the second half through Christian Ngueusseu, John Rawdon's side were worthy winners.
The Cottesmore boss said: "We have played well over the last couple of weeks and have been really consistent so it was a good win which I felt we deserved.
"Ellistown are a good side but we played to our strengths and how we wanted to play.
"As I've said to my lads all the way through, if we play properly then we can beat any team in this league and we proved that on Saturday which was really positive.
"The lads pulled together and put in a good performance. We showed resilience and played the right way."
The victory was, however, overshadowed by a serious injury to top scorer Parker who was taken off with suspected knee ligament damage.
He has netted in the last three games for Cottesmore to take his goal haul for the season to 11 after improving as the campaign has progressed.
Rawdon said: "It's a great shame. Brenden's a 19-year-old lad who has taken time to settle but he's always shown his quality at this level and he's really come on in the last few weeks.
"He has shown that quality where he can go on and play higher so I really feel for him.
"He's been delivering for us the last few weeks, working hard and scoring goals so I am gutted for him and I'm hoping that it isn't too serious to keep him out long-term."
Parker had headed home the opening goal from close range after Mark Tinsley had flicked on a long throw from Colton Cropper.
Ellistown had the lion's share of the possession and Richard Stainsby in the Cottesmore goal had to be on his guard as he collected a number of shots from distance but none really tested the home keeper.
The hosts then doubled their lead on the half-hour mark when Cropper whipped in a free-kick from out wide which nestled in the Ellistown net.
They lost Parker in the latter stages of the first half and then saw their deficit cut shortly after the break when Ngueusseu was given time and space to fire his finish into the bottom corner.
The visitors pushed for an equaliser but the Cottesmore defensive line of Cropper, Shaun Denigan and skipper Aaron Ridout were resolute.
Cottesmore could also have added to their tally but no-one was able to get a decisive touch on an inviting cross from Ewan Simmons while Harry Stannard nearly capped his return from injury with a goal but shot narrowly wide.
Simmons went through again late on but a third goal to make life easier for Cottesmore eluded the home team.
They now travel to FC Khalsa on Saturday with Rawdon looking for more of the same from his side.
He added: "We certainly won't be under-estimating them and the message will be about not letting our standards slip.
"We have played really well in the last three weeks and, if we continue that into Saturday, then I'm hoping we can get back-to-back wins.
"We've got a tough finish but sixth place is still on the cards. We've probably got to win all three games to have any chance but we can do it."
After Saturday's trip to FC Khalsa, Cottesmore visit Ellistown next weekend before completing their campaign on Saturday, March 23, with a home match against Hathern.
