Neilston boss Andy Whiteford insists Saturday was all about grinding out three points as his team picked up a vital win in their bid to beat the drop.

The Farmer’s Boys hosted St Roch’s in a six-pointer at the Brig, with the hosts coming out on top thanks to Terry Hewitt’s second-half header.

The result moves Neilston off the foot of the First Division table and three points from safety, with a number of games in hand over teams above them.

It was the first time Whiteford’s troops had been in action since the disappointment of the Strathclyde Demolition Cup final defeat against Drumchapel United last month.

He told Barrhead Sport: “I had been pleased with our performances in a lot of the games we have played recently but we hadn’t been turning that into points, so it was pleasing to get three on Saturday, particularly in a game against a team who were in a similar position to us.

“We applied ourselves really well, the players took the instructions on board and the main thing for me was the effort and work-rate.

“St Roch’s make it really difficult by being physical and being hard to break down but we matched that and took one of the chances that came our way.

“I thought we could have scored a couple more but we managed the game very well. I felt pretty comfortable with the way we approached it.

“We have played well recently, so Saturday was just about making sure we got three points, no matter what the performance was like, but that was there as well.

“It was a good, disciplined performance but it’s only three points. We need to take the momentum from Saturday and go on a run where we pick up as many points as possible.”

Neilston are on the road this weekend as they face the form team in the league in the shape of Ashfield at the Stepford Football Centre but Whiteford will travel with confidence.

He added: “We need to go there and show the same kind of application and attitude and desire to win the game.

“A lot of games in this league are unpredictable, so we feel we’ve got a good chance to go and get three points. We know it’s going to be a tough game but it’s one that we are looking forward to.”

Kick-off on Saturday is at 2.30pm.