Vill Powell felt Brighouse Town were full value for the three points from their 2-1 win at Ossett United, regardless of the controversy surrounding Eddie Church’s opening goal.
Church scored twice against his former club during his first Brighouse start – with his first goal dominating the headlines because of a handball in the build-up.
Powell admitted that the ball connected with Church’s hand, but said his team were comfortable winners in the BetVictor North West derby.
“He’s not controlled it with his hand,” Powell told Non League Yorkshire.
“It is a difficult one for me because he’s not trying to gain an advantage. It has bounced up and hit his arm.
“Nobody really does know the new rules, that’s where it is all back to front. It has gone for us today. Irrespective of the handball we deserved to win today.
“They can’t have any complaints about the result or us going ahead. We had the majority of the chances. They had pressure from free kicks, throw-ins, corners, but Jordan hasn’t really had a save to make. The only real shot of intent was the one they hit the bar with and the goal.
“A 2-0 up we had further chances and that third goal kills it. There’s that header (from Church) where you rightly say that the goalkeeper saves it. There was another one after where we could have done better.
“Their goal did give them the impetus to try and salvage something from the game. Both teams were fatigue from playing Saturday and our lads have put their bodies on the line for me again today by defending immensely well.
“We got the result and that is all what really matters. We certainly weren’t hanging on. We had opportunities where we should have done better. Certainly near the end with Finn Donovan’s one. He was one-on-one.”
With Carl Stewart and Jacques Etia who were upfront in the FA Cup draw with Morpeth Town on Saturday, on the bench, Kieran Ryan and Church were given starts and Powell was very happy with the latter.
“He was a threat and that’s what I ask my strikers to be for me,” he said.
“Go be a threat, have shots, go create chances, cause the centre-halves problems. He did that. On another day he gets a hat-trick.
“He was good and ultimately he’s made his first start and won us the game.”