CINDERFORD Town manager Paul Michael said he felt his side deserved their 2-1 victory at Barnstaple Town given the number of chances they created.

Town took an early lead through Lewis Bamford, who Michael in particular highlighted, but the 10th minute strike was cancelled out by a goal from Chris Ibbeson four minutes after half-time.

However, centre-half Danny Clare’s recent habit of scoring vital goals continued as he got the winner on 85 minutes.

In his programme notes for the postponed home match against Larkhall Athletic on Tuesday, Michael called the match at Barnstaple ’far from a classic’ on a ’heavy’ surface in Devon.

“We started the game brightly and perhaps should have been further ahead at the interval having not made enough of final third entries,” he wrote.

“The second half we weren’t at our best but fought until the end and got what we deserved, I felt, having created the better of the chances.

“It was a team effort where we stuck together but I have to single out Lewis Bamford who was a constant thorn in the side of the opposition.

“Danny Clare made Barnstaple pay for their treatment of him in the first game in exactly the right way, by dominating the game and winning us the three points.

“Joe Perry was outstanding and is only getting better for us and finally Lewis Ellis, who does the right things at the right time and adds composure and quality to us.

“That’s seven points from the last three games, only conceding one goal and only two defeats – away to Taunton and Swindon Supermarine – in 12 for this developing young team.”

• CINDERFORD Town were knocked out of the Southern League Challenge Cup last week as they went down 4-1 at home in the third round to Premier Division opponents Redditch United.

Paul Michael had a rare on-field cameo and equalised with a goal a minute before half-time.

Myles Phipps put United ahead seven minutes previously but goals from Stuart Fleetwood (2) and Lewis Wright ended Town’s league cup run.