Reaction from Stamford AFC manager Graham Drury after their victory over Alvechurch

Manager Graham Drury praised the work ethic of his Stamford side as they moved within three points of top spot in the Southern League Premier Division Central table after their home victory over Alvechurch on Saturday.

The 1-0 home success stretched Stamford's unbeaten league run to seven games and also took them into the play-off places.

It was performance more about industry than artistry from Drury's charges after Elliott Durrell marked his debut by scoring the winning goal after just eight minutes.

The Stamford boss said: "I felt we were very controlled in the first half and were by far the better team.

"We had to soak up a lot of pressure in the second half because we weren't as good in possession of the ball but we've kept another clean sheet and are now seven games unbeaten.

"Alvechurch don't concede many goals so we knew it would be a really tight affair so the first goal was always going to be crucial.

"Myself and my staff felt we got our tactics spot on and, when you've got a work ethic like we have, it deserved the three points.

"We are grinding results out at the moment by being resilient and we've got that bit of steel about us."

Durrell was handed his first start after joining Stamford in the week and slotted home the match-winning goal after a strong burst from Kai Tonge.

Drury added: "It was a great debut for Elliott.

"A lot of people doubt him and I know he's had troubled times at a few clubs but I've never doubted his ability and I don't think anybody can ever do that.

"He knows where he stands with me. He's got an aggressive and dominant manager that will control the way he is around the group.

"He just needs somebody to love him and it's all about getting tunes out of people.

"Elliott hasn't played for a while but giving him his first start is the way to give players confidence.

"It's sink or swim and players are in there because I believe in them and that gives them that encouragement and confidence to show what they can do."

The victory saw Stamford keep their 13th clean sheet of the season despite being forced to reshuffle their pack again following the recent injury to Joe Burgess and two-match suspension for George Hobbins.

Stacey Freeman has come back into the Daniels' defence and formed a strong partnership alongside James Blunden and Jordon Cooke while Tobias Liversidge and Ashton Offler were moved into midfield roles.

Drury commented: "Stacey deserves a lot of credit and I've told him to let the other two be the animals in there and then he can be the artist in behind them to dictate from there.

"I've asked Tobias to play a defensive midfield role when he's an attacking wideman and other players have had to do different jobs but they've been amazing.

"They listen to everything that I want from them and work hard for me. They know that I will put the effort in and they've got to match it and, if they do that, then we won't be far off achieving what we want to achieve, which is to finish above last season."

Stamford travel to face third-placed Bedford Town for their next fixture on Saturday.