Simon Weaver "couldn't be prouder" of Harrogate Town's attitude during second half of win over Mansfield Town

The Sulphurites were below-par all over the field during an opening period which the visiting Stags had the better of, home custodian James Belshaw making two good saves from Ollie Clarke to keep his side on level terms.

But, a sweetly-struck volley by Aaron Martin just 10 seconds after the interval put Town in the ascendancy and paved the way for a much-improved 45 minutes of football.

"I was delighted with the response after quite a dour first half where we just weren't at it," Weaver reflected.

"But, the important thing is that we weren't losing. We hung on in there, we played better in the second half and we found a way to win the game, which is so important at this level.

"We had to be a bit more physical, we had to earn the right to play and show a bit more class - and I think we showed our true colours second half.

"It wasn't a perfect performance but the attitude second half was pretty much perfect for me. There was a lot of hard graft. Everyone contributed.

"We really did respond well and we showed a massive desire to get the three points, so I couldn't be prouder of the second-half display - and that's what you want as a manager."

Martin's decisive 46th-minute goal arrived after strike partner Josh March pressured Mansfield centre-half Ryan Sweeney into a poor defensive header inside his own penalty area.

Thus, Weaver praised both of his centre-forwards for their contribution to the game's decisive moment, while also hailing his team's ability to see another game out from a winning position.

"It was a great centre-forward's finish, but both Aaron Martin and Josh March have contributed," he added.

"Their centre-half was put in two minds. Josh gambled, he made the sort of run I'm always willing the strikers to make and the ball has come off the top of their lad's head.

"As soon as Aaron hit it I thought 'back of the net', and I'm delighted for him. It's great technique from him to volley home and it was great for the team to have that boost of the goal so early in the second half and to be a winning position.

"We scored a fantastic goal and then had something to hold on to, but it wasn't just about that, we played a lot more football and showed what we're about.

"It's been a case of so far, so good in terms of what we've done when we've gone 1-0 up in games and that is really important. You have to have that trait if you're serious about being a proper Football League club."

Victory for Town lifts them up two places to 13th in the League Two standings.