WINCHESTER City match-winner Joe Briggs needs another 12 goals to achieve his target for the season - and collect £100 off director of football Dave Malone.

The wideman bagged his eighth on Saturday as the Citizens twice battled back from behind to see off ten-man Paulton Rovers 3-2 in the Southern One South & West.

Even manager Ian Saunders admitted “we made hard work of it”, but Briggs’ contribution – setting up the 2-2 leveller for Howard Neighbour and plundering the 84th-minute winner – was sufficient to push Winchester up to 14th.

Briggs, along with close friends Neighbour and Jamie Ford, is one of Saunders "disciples" from Petersfield Town where he netted an impressive 24 goals last term.

“I hoped I’d get that here,” said the Portsmouth-based 27-year-old. “But I’m in a better team now and I'm not relied on so much to score.

“But I’ve had a £100 bet with Dave Malone that I’ll get 20 and I still hope I can.

“I started well and scored quite a few, but then I wasn’t playing too well.

“But I went on holiday to Bali and the rest did me good. I’ve been involved in a few goals and scored two since I got back.”

Although City felt Reeko Best’s 15th-minute opener for Paulton was offside, top scorer Craig Feeney tempered their frustration with his 18th of the campaign.

And when Rovers’ Jordan Ricketts saw red for two-footed tackle on Adam Tomasso in first-half stoppage time, a straightforward City victory looked imminent.

But early second-half misses from skipper Stuart Green and Neighbour came back to haunt them when new loan signing Lewis Tallack from Poole Town had a harsh-looking penalty awarded against him and the alleged victim, Jake Mawford, tucked it away.

Yet more openings passed City by before they levelled on 65 minutes when Neighbour flicked in Briggs’ delivery from the left.

Ten-man Paulton still had their chances, but the lion’s share fell to City with Adam Tomasso’s left-foot belter well turned away by keeper Kieran Hodges and Feeney somehow hitting the underside of the bar.

“It seemed easier to score than miss that one!" marvelled Saunders. "But we’ve ended up getting a good late winner when Greener showed persistence on the byline and pulled it back for Briggo to score.

“You could question both Paulton goals - one was offside and we didn’t think the other was a penalty – but you’ve got to give them credit. They’re pacy and some of their attacking play kept us on it.

“Their league position (18th) probably belies where they should be – the same as ours does.”

Briggs agreed: "Paulton made it hard for us. Even though we made a lot of chances and played quite well, it seemed like it was going to be one of those afternoons for us when we'd either lose or draw.

"I hadn't scored in the league for a while so I was pleased to get the winner."

City are at home to Yate Town on Wednesday (7.45pm).

Winchester City: Brendan Norris, Lewis Tallack (Danny Smith, 82), Danny King, Adam Tomasso, Robbie Matthews, Stuart Mott, Joe Briggs, Stuart Green, Craig Feeney (IK Hill, 90), Howard Neighbour, Andy Jenkinson (Taz Roberts, 68). Sub (not used): Lewis Noice.

Referee: James Durkin

Attendance: 127