Orana Spurs coach Ben Manson considers it a sign of his side's development that it can perform well below its best and still record a win in the Western Premier League.
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After back-to-back losses to competition leaders Orange Waratahs and Dubbo FC, Spurs got back to winning ways on Sunday when scoring a 3-1 victory at Lithgow.
Joel Tongue bagged a double and Jake Ferguson also struck and the goals were just rewards as the pair were standouts for the Dubbo side and led form the front throughout the 90 minutes.
But overall the performance wasn't one of the Spurs' best this season.
"To be honest, our best but if we're not playing well and still winning it shows we're doing something right," Manson said.
"We had a lot more opportunities to score but the belief everyone has is awesome. I'm really happy with the mentality."
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Spurs bossed much of the game against Lithgow Workmen's but after shooting out to 2-0 lead relatively early on Manson admitted his side got a little complacent.
A strike from Ben Sheehan after half-time got the hosts back into it but that kicked Spurs back into action and another goal secured the win.
The morale-boosting win gets Spurs back within one point of Dubbo FC, who had the bye, and four off the ladder-leading Waratahs.
"It was very, very important to get the win," Manson said.
The coach had nothing but praise for his two match-winners.
The two-goal performance from Tongue was welcomed by the entire side after a disappointing showing against the Bulls a week prior.
Tongue missed a penalty in that Dubbo derby and Manson admitted he spoke to his influential attacker after that match.
"He was awesome. He'd been a bit rough against Bulls and we had a chat, not an angry one at all, and I asked what was up and what he wanted to do better.
"We need his (Tongue's) speed and he's very smart on the ball. To get him in attacking areas and in front of goals is just what we want.
"But he and Jake Ferguson was exceptional.
"Jake was unreal all game. He was pressing high and his passing was spot on."
After getting back in the winner's circle, Spurs are now focused on another strong run of form to stay ahead of the chasing pack.
Manson's troops now sit three points ahead of Barnstoneworth United but there's pressure from below as only two separate fourth and seventh.
Elsewhere on the weekend, fellow Dubbo side Macquarie United played out a 3-all draw with Panorama FC.
The result leaves Macquarie in seventh spot on the ladder.
Brad Matiuscenko, Connor Crain and Glen Schein scored in the draw.
Macquarie next faces a tricky trip to Orange to take on a Barnstoneworth side which is starting to find its best form while Spurs plays host to the last-placed Mudgee Gulgong and Bulls return from the bye and head to Parkes.
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