Simon Weaver admits Harrogate Town's clash at Scunthorpe United was a 'must-win'

The Sulphurites cruised to a comfortable 3-0 success over League Two's bottom side at Glanford Park courtesy of goals from George Thomson, Jack Diamond and Will Smith.

But, they didn't have things all their own way prior to switching from a 3-4-3 system to 4-4-2, and Weaver revealed that confidence levels weren't particularly high in the Town camp prior to them getting their noses in front.

"I thought it was a must-win game for us today. We've been on a difficult run for one reason or another, but we had to come through the game with three points," Weaver reflected.

"To do it with a convincing second-half performance and a good scoreline behind us should do wonders for the confidence levels.

"We knew that Scunthorpe would perceive this as a very important game as well, obviously they needed the three points, but ultimately we have come through.

"The confidence levels weren't great at the start or in the first 20 minutes, but after we scored the first couple of goals you could see we have got some good players and the lads turned it on in the final half an hour."

Town took the lead on 22 minutes when Thomson's left-wing corner beat everyone and found its way inside the far post, before Diamond doubled the advantage shortly after the hour-mark.

Smith then wrapped things up with a header from another Thomson set-piece, leaving Weaver grateful to his players for "digging in and getting us the win."

"It was great to see two set-pieces go in and Jack's finish was fantastic and lifted everyone," the Harrogate boss added.

"The supporters were so happy with that finish and it was timely for us. You could see then us grabbing hold of the ball in midfield, especially Thommo [Thomson], and spraying passes - and that's what we've been about, we have just got to get those confidence levels back up.

"We've tried to be ultra-positive in training and back the players because in football, when momentum goes against you, it's so easy for people within the ranks to be negative about things, but we stayed strong.

"I can't thank the players enough for digging in today and doing what they thought was right on the pitch, which was getting on the front foot and playing well basically, doing the basics well and getting us the win.

"We've had some tricky times recently and I think it's part of growing up really, for all of us. Everyone in the building has made mistakes but this is the test that the Football League provides."

Town goalkeeper Mark Oxley made a couple of important one-on-one saves to deny Scunthorpe's Tyrese Sinclair and Joe Nuttall with the game still goalless and Weaver insisted that his number one deserves credit for keeping the visitors on terms.

"I'm sure some people will sweep that under the carpet because it's Ox and he's got a quiet nature, he doesn't grab the glory," he continued.

"But he rightly should with those two fine saves. He made himself massive and kept us in it at that point."

Saturday's result lifts Town up one place to 15th in the League Two standings and 16 points clear of the relegation zone.