CRAIG Feeney gave Winchester City a giant shot in the arm by scoring both goals in yesterday's 2-1 FA Trophy victory at Fleet Town.

Progressing past the first qualifying round at Calthorpe Park was just the tonic the Citizens needed to ease the pain of three straight defeats in the Southern One South & West.

Fleet took the lead with a stunning 20-yard Josh Harfield volley but, having taken that blow firmly on the chin, City came back fighting.

Stuart Green burst through on goal and unselfishly squared for Feeney to make it 1-1 at half-time and it was ex-AFC Totton man Feeney who won it with a fantastic solo run and finish.

“Luckily for us, the season hasn’t quite fizzled out yet,” smiled manager Ian Saunders.

“Craig Feeney was right at it today and caused Fleet all sorts of problems with his direct running with pace.

“He was ably assisted by Stuart Green who put in his best performance of the season. Stu could have scored himself, but he rolled it to Feeney to equalise.

“Feeney’s then produced a bit of magic to go past several players and slip the ball under the keeper for the winner.”

After suggestions that big defender Ross Bottomley was taking a break from football , he did in fact play at Fleet.

He and fellow defensive giant Robbie Matthews did well to keep the lid on Fleet’s main attacking threat, Pat Cox.

“The bottom line is that Rosco’s registered with us and, if we can get him involved, we will,” said Saunders.

“Him and Mooncat (Matthews) were excellent up against a good forward in Pat Cox. It was a good, old-fashioned battle between three six-footers.”

Saunders played for Fleet when Mick Catlin managed there and had a spell as caretaker manager at Calthorpe Park.

“It was nice to go back and see a few old faces – and even nicer to get a result,” he grinned.

Winchester’s scheduled league trip to Evesham on Tuesday has been postponed because the Robins have a Trophy replay at Frome.

City return to S&W action at Swindon Supermarine on Saturday.