A superb curling effort from Marc Williams was enough to secure a welcome three points from the visit of Lincoln City to the Racecourse, although in truth the win should have been more comfortable, but at least this three points takes us out of the dreaded relegation places.

A change to the set-up of the team saw a 3-5-2 formation with returning loan star Robbie Garrett showing up well in the centre of midfield, while both Williams and Neil Roberts proved themselves to be willing runners up front.

The back three of Steve Evans, Richard Hope and Danny Williams looked secure in the main, although Mark Jones did well to clear an effort off the line early in the second half which could have changed the whole outcome of the game.

Reds boss Brian Carey was understandably pleased with the outcome but keen to stress that this is just the beginning: "It was a much needed win.

"The manner in which we played was good but more importantly, as we have said for the last few weeks, we've had a result today.

"It was a good goal from Marc and I thought that our front two caused them a lot of problems, but as I've said I am just delighted with the win.

"When we missed the penalty I was not too concerned, I just thought that we would keep going and believe in what we are doing, that is what are like these days.

"We've had a set-backs but we will just stick to our game plan and stick to what we set out to do. We changed the system and it worked quite well but I thought that we had eleven performances today.

"I don't know if the players felt more comfortable with the system, but I suppose as we won you would have to say yes. I have said all along that we have got to be adaptable and flexible in everything that we do.

"I think from their (Lincoln) point of view, the came good when they had ten men and they saw a lot of the ball. We started to do things that we have been doing in previous weeks really where we were running with the ball and not letting the ball do the work.

"We caused our own problems in that spell but having said that yet again we had enough chances to have killed the game off and we should have done that. That is the only real criticism that I have got today is that we should have killed the game off.

"As I've said before this is a really important week for us. I've sensed all week leading up the game how the players were, how they have been and I could tell before the game how they were going to play today and long may that continue.

"I think that football is all about what is going on in your head and how you are and I think that we had eleven players today who were really determined, wanted to succeed and wanted to be part of a winning team.

"We have got three points and we need keep it going, but there is a long way to go yet. We've stopped the rot if you like and we now need to push on.

"We looked a lot more solid at the back. We've looked at that after the Stockport game last week, we've worked on it a lot this week and I was pleased how that side of it went. Also we created enough chances today so I am pleased with that.

"Something that we have got here is a lot of talented youngsters coming though. They are all capable players and those that played acquitted themselves very well today.

"What you can't expect though is for them to produce that for 46 games, and obviously the blend of youth and experience helps. It is fantastic for the future that we have got players of that age though coming in and doing a job.

"Robbie Garrett did really well today, he came in and carried on where he left off last season, and it is that sort of enthusiasm and desire to win that I saw when I went to watch him in a reserve game last Monday night, when he played for Stoke against Port Vale.

"He played as though it was the last game that he was ever going to play and that shows his character."