WINNING was an achievement in itself for Fawley AFC on Saturday as they savoured Sydenhams Premier victory for the first time since October 24.

But what really encouraged manager Richie Coxall about the 5-2 triumph at basement boys Folland Sports was kicking the costly habit of conceding in the closing stages – and scoring late instead!

“We’ve been playing relatively well but, unfortunately, not for the whole 90 minutes and we’ve been punished for knocking off at the end of games,” he said.

“So it made a nice change that we were 3-2 up with eight minutes to go and we scored another couple at the end.

“I wouldn’t say we overran Follands, they were still in it until late on.

“It was quite a competitive game as you’d imagine with us both being where we are.”

The Oilers led through a Dan Fry penalty awarded for a foul on Elliot Earl before Will Harris pegged them back to 1-1.

Ben Bolton’s fine individual run and finish and one from Earl made it 3-2 to Fawley, but back came the Planemakers again through Matt Andrews.

With Fry limping off injured, his replacement Charlie Willett netted the Oilers’ fourth before a defensive error gifted Earl his second of the game.

The result pulled Fawley five points clear of the danger zone with a trip to seventh-placed Cowes Sports beckoning on Saturday.

“Hopefully the win will give us a bit of belief to kick on now,” said Coxall.

Follands, cast six points adrift at the bottom, are due to play at Fareham Town tomorrow (Tuesday), but continuing drainage issues at Cams Alders make it a major doubt.