Martin Ling praised his praised his side's character as they came from behind to beat Salisbury City.

United recorded a fourth successive win, despite starting the match poorly and falling behind to a Matt Tubbs wonder-strike.

But after goals from Josh Coulson, Antonio Murray, and Scott Neilson had secured the points, Ling said: "I didn't think we really started in the first half.

"We came in 2-1 up at half time without really getting going. They played a diamond midfield against our flat 4-4-2 and picked up a lot of ball in the middle of the pitch.

"We talked at half time about using the ball better in wide, and I thought we did that in the second half, getting Antonio Murray and Scott Neilson on the ball, with the full backs joining in as well.

"That's where the space was, and we were hitting some good diagonals in behind them and our performance picked up a bit," he said.

With regular left back Aiden Palmer out injured, centre back Dave Partridge returned to the side after an injury in an unfamiliar full back role. After picking up an early yellow card for a strong tackle on a Salisbury attacker, Partridge became accustomed to the position and acquited himself well in the second period.

"Dave has played left back before so I no hesitation putting him in," said Ling. "Losing Aiden and Simon Russell meant changes had to be made, and again it shows the squad depth we have even with Mark Beesley going out on loan."

The manager also hailed his sides character, after they came from behind to win for a second successive match.

He said: "Earlier in the season the early goal would have put us on the back foot and given us too many questions to answer.

"But today, although the half time score flattered us, the final score didn't. Scotty (Neilson) had that chance to make it 3-1, but they hit the bar at 2-1 as well, and it ended up being a comfortable night if not  a scintilating performance."

United scored three good goals to win the match, with Josh Coulson netting his first for the club before wingers Murray and Neilson sealed the points.

"The finishes from both the wide boys were excellent," said Ling. "Antonio Murray played out on left and scored with his weaker left foot, which to be fair he uses a lot in training. The goals were pleasing for them and good for everybody.

"We're seven games unbeaten now, and winning becomes habit in the same way that we had to break the losing habit we were in previously.

"As a squad we feel we can win even when we got behind now, and you can see it in the team and also in the confidence around the club as a whole.

"When you go behind you need to answer the character question and in the last two games we've answered it with flying colours," he added.

United's winning streak has propelled them up the table to 15th, nine points clear of the drop zone with games in hand on many of their rivals.

But Ling warned: "42 points won't be enough to keep us up, but I think perhaps 45 will be. But I certainly won't be happy once we reach that total, we need to keep the run going and keep winning games between now and the end of the season."

United's next match is a trip to Wales to face Wrexham, and Ling is hopeful both Russell and Palmer will be available.

"They will both be assessed on Thursday and see how they are ahead of Saturday. 

"We've got a lot of games coming up and tonight that thinking was that there's no point taking risks when we have good players available to come in," he concluded.

Matthew Gooding

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