Pinchbeck United beat Deeping Rangers in the United Counties League

Pinchbeck moved off the foot of the United Counties League Premier Division North table after a derby victory at Deeping Rangers on Saturday.

The Knights were 3-1 winners at the Haydon Whitham Stadium to claim their second league victory of the campaign.

Hugo Hunt and Kelvin Ibeneme netted in the opening period with Taylor Jaine adding a third goal before Tom Waumsley cut the deficit for defeated Deeping whose play-off hopes suffered a setback after the reversal.

For Pinchbeck, it ended a barren run in the league with their last success coming at Hucknall Town at the start of September.

Boss Lewis Thorogood said: "We've never had a good record at Deeping - and I haven't won there since I've been Pinchbeck manager - but we showed the right attitude to get the result.

"We worked harder than them and, although we rode our luck a bit, our mind-set was right as a collective group.

"We grafted, wanted it more in my opinion, and we fought and battled for 90 minutes which is all I ask.

"Irrespective of whether we're a young or inexperienced group, we will pick up results if we do that."

The Knights had taken an early lead after a well-worked move had seen Neal Spafford play in Flynn Slater whose low cross was converted by Hunt.

A header from Jaine then rattled the Rangers crossbar following a Jake Henderson free-kick before Pinchbeck doubled their lead from the penalty spot.

An under-hit back pass was intercepted by Hunt who went down under the challenge of home goalkeeper Aaron Butcher and Ibeneme stepped up to convert the resultant spot kick.

Pinchbeck continued to offer the greater attacking threat and Hunt dragged another effort narrowly wide from Ibeneme's pass before Spafford shot past the post after shrugging off a challenge.

A disappointing Deeping display in the first half failed to back up last week's excellent away win at Kimberley with Tom Smith smashing their best chance of the opening period wide while Josh Sennett and Cal Davies were unable to make the most of a couple of decent openings.

The next goal in the second period was always going to be crucial and it was Pinchbeck who made the vital next breakthrough with their third just before the hour mark.

A corner was driven into the near post and Jaine rose highest to flick his header into the top of the Deeping net.

Rangers lost centre-half Will Moxon to injury but saw both Dan Dougill and Waumsley introduced after the break.

And it was Waumsley who reduced the arrears as he cut inside on the byline and drilled home his finish at the near post.

Deeping then enjoyed a strong spell of pressure but, despite a couple of long range efforts, were unable to add to their tally and are now seven points outside of the play-off places.

Knights boss Thorogood added: "It was a welcome result. I'm pleased for the guys and I hope it has given them the confidence to kick on now.

"It was great to get the win but we can't get carried away because there are still a lot of games to be played."

Deeping travel to Wisbech Town on Boxing Day while Pinchbeck are away at Sleaford Town.