Pontefract Collieries manager Jimmy Williams was delighted with his side’s display as they earned revenge for their recent FA Cup defeat by Ossett United in a quick return match in the NPL East.

First half goals from Connor O’Grady and Joe Lumsden gave Colls a 2-0 victory and made it five games unbeaten in the league.

They are now up to ninth, just a point off the play-off places, with games in hand on some of the teams above them.

Their latest three points against a competitive Ossett side was fully deserved according to manager Williams.

Joe Lumsden celebrates his goal against Ossett United with Pontefract Collieries teammates. Picture: Mia Barker Photography

placeholder image — Joe Lumsden celebrates his goal against Ossett United with Pontefract Collieries teammates. Picture: Mia Barker Photography

“Definitely the best team won,” he said. “We battered them for the first 35 minutes and probably should have been 4-0 up.

"We had a goal disallowed and it looked all right from the sideline and we had two or three more chances, but we got in 2-0 at half-time then just managed the game second half to make sure we got the three points.

"I thought first half everybody was outstanding and then in the second half they’ve not really done much – I thought they were going to throw more at it.

"They haven’t cut us open once or really created anything and we’ve just seen the game through.

"It was a fully deserved three points. We would have taken 2-0 before the game and it just keeps us marching up the league.”

Williams believes the continued impressive home form will hold a key to getting Colls up among the contenders.

He added: “If we can make this place a fortress, which we are doing at the minute with 10 points from four games and only one goal conceded, and pick points up on the road we are going to be right up there.

"It’s easy to say that, you’ve got to back it up and we have to keep doing what we’re doing. We’ve still got a few games in hand and need to keep working hard.

"It’s still a tough month, it’s still Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday. Every team will be relieved when it’s just Saturday, Saturday because it’s been a heavy schedule.

"It seems like we are away every midweek at the minute, which is not ideal, but it is what it is due to the cup fixtures and rescheduled fixtures.”

In midweek Ponte brought back a point from their trip to Beverley Town when O’Grady was on target again.

They now face three successive away games, beginning with a trip to Silsden on Tuesday night then two games in the north east against West Auckland Town on Saturday and Ashington next Tuesday.