WINCHESTER City boss Ian Saunders said December would be a "huge" month for his side – and how they have risen to the challenge!

The Citizens have not put a foot wrong in the build-up to Christmas, reeling off five straight wins - four of them in the Southern One South & West.

Their most recent triumph was arguably the most pleasing as Winchester struck with a late penalty yesterday to beat a strong Bideford side 2-1 in north Devon.

Already without the injured Robbie Matthews, Andy Jenkinson and Matt Evans – City lost four more players - Jamie Ford, Howard Neighbour (work commitments), Lewis Tallack (ill) and Danny Smith (wife expecting baby) – on the morning of the match.

That opened the door for young IK Hill and Jack Hannam to come into the team along with trusty midfielder Jamie Barron, who has returned Hillier Way from Gosport Borough.

Winchester shone for the first 40 minutes only to be caught by a sucker punch just before half-time when they conceded a free-kick which Billy Tucker took quickly to catch them off-guard.

But Barron made his mark after an hour, teeing up skipper Stuart Green to burst past his marker and find the bottom corner for 1-1.

Although Bideford felt aggrieved with the award of a late penalty, seemingly for a innocuous offence on Craig Feeney, Winchester boss Ian Saunders clarified: “It was young IK Hill who was clipped on the ankle and it was a nailed-on penalty.

“When I heard the whistle, I thought the referee had blown for full-time. To be fair to him, it was a brave decision to give it.”

Hot-shot Feeney showed nerves of steel to tuck the spot kick away for his 20th goal of the season, lifting City to 13th ahead of Wednesday’s home game against Slimbridge.

“With the FA Trophy done, we’d targeted this as a huge month back in the bread and butter of the league,” said Saunders.

“We’ve had a little bit of luck, but I thought we deserved to win at Bideford.

“They’re a big, strong side and their fans are vocal as well. I was proud of our lads for the way they dealt with it. Some of our football was as good as we’ve played.

“We travelled with as skimpy a squad as you can get and to come away with that result was huge for us."