WINCHESTER City’s 1-0 win at Blackfield & Langley on Saturday wasn’t one for the football purists.

But for City boss Paul Masters there was something beautifully satisfying about watching his side “win ugly”.

While no one doubts Winchester’s flair for entertaining and scoring goals, questions have been asked about their ability to slog out a result when the going gets tough.

So it came as sweet relief for Masters to come away with all three Sydenhams Premier points from a windswept Gang Warily despite City performing way below their best.

Yes, Winchester’s Zach Glasspool had arguably squandered the game’s two best chances prior to match-winning substitute Liam Robinson stealing the limelight within seconds of replacing Adam ‘Taz’ Roberts in the 82nd minute.

But it was hard to disagree with Blackfield boss John Robson’s assessment that, in terms of creativity, the Watersiders had the edge on a City side who are now just three points behind second-placed Moneyfields with two games in hand.

While Blackfield are going great guns in the cups, their league form – on paper, at least – is woeful. Since so stylishly beating Moneyfields on January 3, they have lost five and drawn two of their last seven league games.

There were several occasions when they could have had Winchester on the rack, but for reasons unknown to their manager they lacked the killer instinct in front of goal.

Ed Zanin, Jesse Gould and Dan Cann all failed to test City ’keeper Gareth Barfoot when well placed and even the dynamic impact of substitute and right winger Danny Young – back after a long spell out with a dislocated shoulder – failed to get the Watersiders firing. GLUM Small wonder then that Robson cut such a glum and frustrated figure after the game.

The former Winchester boss said: “We created loads of chances but didn’t finish them and we didn’t offer any shots at all from distance.

“We played some great stuff working the ball out wide and getting it across the box, but it didn’t pay off and then one Winchester shot takes us completely out of the game.”

Until Robinson’s arrival, both sides appeared to have left their shooting boots at home.

But City’s super sub showed the positivity everyone else had been so woefully lacking, lashing the ball home from 20 yards with his first touch of the game. Former Eastleigh reserves midfielder Robinson has been with Winchester on and off since 2012 without ever managing to cement a regular first-team place.

He drifted off to Fareham Town at the start of this season, but returned shortly after Masters took over at the helm and has quickly impressed the boss.

“Liam was unlucky not to start today but, as a sub, he’s quite devastating,” said Masters. “I had a conversation with him at Christmas and said he’d get his chance and he’s looking very sharp. He gives us something different in that he’s direct and gets shots off quickly. I’m pleased for him to get the winner today. He deserves it.”

Summing up the game Masters said: “It was very poor and the conditions didn’t help. The wind was swirling a lot more than people realised.

“It’s probably the worst we’ve played in a few months.

“Everyone knows that when we’re playing well, we’re unstoppable. Today we didn’t play well, but we’re learning to win ugly.”