Wealdstone head coach Matt Taylor backed his players to take momentum in their stride as the Stones overcame AFC Fylde 1-0 at Grosvenor Vale on August Bank Holiday Monday, just 48 hours after late heartbreak in the 1-1 draw at Hartlepool.

Harry Sandat’s first-half strike was enough to give Taylor his first competitive win as boss, with an outstanding second-half defensive effort proving pivotal.

“The performance level again was really good. We dominated the second game of football we’ve had in three days,” Taylor said.

“We were brilliant in the way we defended. We were excellent until the final moment in the box where I should be stood here saying to you we won the game three or four nil.

“But, the defence are the reason we’ve won. They were brilliant. We had to make some changes. Enzio (Boldewijn) changes position and was outstanding. Cooky [Jack Cook] and Adrian [Mariappa] also, but the players have got what their performances deserved and that’s three points.

“I’m stood here with four points out of the last three days. I’d have taken that. I’ve said to the players our mindset had to be that we want to go into every game and feel we can win it.

"We set the team up well. We had to make changes to freshen it up - as did they. I’m sure every National League team would have done the same.

“But I’m pleased for the players because they’ve never wavered in their belief in what we’ve been asking them to do. Hopefully that’s the first win of a few this season.”

Taylor’s first win saw the Stones jump above Boston United into 22nd place in the National League table after five matches, although Taylor pushed back against the idea a weight had been lifted from his shoulders after a slow start.

“Not for me, no, because our performances have been really good. From our perspective as a group of staff and a group of players, if you continually believe in trusting the process, the results will come, and that’s what they’ve done,” he added.

“Has it taken a little bit longer than we would've wanted? Yes, but I should be stood here, probably if I look at the balance of the games, with more points than we’ve got.

“But in football you rarely ever get what you deserve, and the players today worked extremely hard. It’s a big thing for them. I think it’s outrageous we’ve got to play two games in three days, but it’s the schedule and it’s the same schedule for everybody.

"I’m pleased we’ve got three points and I’m hopeful we’ve not picked up any long-term injuries.”

Up next for the Stones is a trip to the Midlands to face last season’s play-off finalists Solihull Moors on Saturday, who sit just three points above Taylor’s side.

Wealdstone then host York City a week later as the club’s National League campaign gathers pace.