Bourne Town beat Radford in the United Counties League
Bourne bounced back with an instant return to winning ways to restore their seven-point lead at the top of the United Counties League Division One table on Saturday.
The Wakes were 2-1 home victors over Radford in front of a cracking crowd of 365 at the JJ Mac Stadium.
First half goals from Josh Edmondson and Zak Munton helped the Wakes get back on track after their first league loss at second-placed Clipstone the previous weekend.
Manager Michael Goode said: "We were not anywhere near aggressive enough last Saturday at Clipstone and we knew that Radford were a good side.
"I asked the lads to get on the front foot and play a real high intensity game and I think they delivered from the first whistle.
"Our energy levels were excellent, it was no-risk defending at the back and, when we went forward, we did it with purpose.
"It was a great response and I was really pleased in tough conditions against a tough team. We showed that intensity and aggression which wasn't there last week and it filled me with confidence that we can raise our levels again when required."
Bourne began brightly as James Hill-Seekings saw a low shot safely gathered at the second attempt by Radford goalkeeper Oluyinka Abebowale.
Home custodian Dan Swan then had to get down smartly to fingertip away a goalbound shot from Abdurrahman Saad before Bourne broke the deadlock after 15 minutes.
Munton did well to keep a high ball in play with a sublime touch which sparked a slick move that send Edmondson racing clear to slot his finish past Abebowale.
The lead was then doubled three minutes later as Munton arrowed home a low shot into the bottom corner of the Radford net.
The Wakes continued to create the better chances as the first half wore on with Hill-Seekings curling a shot narrowly wide, moments after having an effort disallowed for offside, while Will Bird was denied by a fine save from Abebowale after a swift break.
The Radford goalkeeper then made another fine stop to thwart Hill-Seekings and prevent Bourne from increasing their lead before the break.
The Wakes frontman again went close on the hour mark when he rattled the upright with a shot before being denied by a crucial block from Joe McLaughlin when well-placed.
The returning Henry Dunn - who has rejoined the club where he started his career from Melton Town - then entered the fray as a substitute and he delivered a cross for Bird who was denied at point blank range by Abebowale.
The match-clinching third goal continued to evade the Wakes who then faced a nervy finale when Radford reduced the arrears with four minutes remaining when Tyler Dacres drilled home a low finish.
As the visitors pushed more players forward in search of an equaliser, Bourne looked threatening on the break and Robbie Ellis spurned a good chance at the back post from a rebound after Abebowale had saved well from Hill-Seekings.
Ellis then launched a late marauding run and was brought down right on the edge of the box with Bird's free-kick being safely gathered by Abebowale in the last action of an entertaining game.
Boss Goode added: "It can be hard when you've lost a game after so many and it can often be flat but we were not at all like that.
"The midfield worked really hard, the back four were tight and Dan Swan's handling was good while the front three were really fluid.
"We took our chances when they arrived at good important times in the first half but just need to settle a little bit once we get ourselves a couple of goals up and be more ruthless. It was a good all-round performance though."
Bourne: Swan, Panting, Wilson, Jones, Cox, Ellis, Archer, Edmondson (Ellison), Munton (Dunn), Hill-Seekings, Bird. Sub not used: Palmer. Attendance: 365.
