LEE CLARK hailed central midfield pair Antony Kay and Danny Drinkwater as Town bolstered their League I promotion bid with a 2-1 win at Carlisle.
Goals from Lee Novak (sixth minute) and Jordan Rhodes (56th) put Town in control before Joe Anyinsah pulled one back for Carlisle in stoppage time.
“They gave us a bit of a scare and it was a sloppy goal to give away,” said Clark, whose side are now unbeaten in eight League I games.
“We could have been a bit more ruthless and have had the game put to bed by half-time. It ended up being a little bit more nervous than it should have been, but it’s a win.”
Clark continued: “I thought the two central midfield players were outstanding. Antony Kay, in the last two games, has shown why I was so desperate to bring him to the club.
“He’s been very combative and very calm when he’s had opportunities to pass, and I always knew that’s what he’s about.
“When Danny gets on the ball as much as he was in this game, you see what a good footballer he is.
“We played some good football here, but we also scrapped – we had to – and did the ugly side of the game well.”
On his strikers, the boss said: “Lee and Jordan were very good. They form a good partnership and were worthy of the goals they got.”
Town now head to Hartlepool on Saturday and Tranmere next Tuesday, and Clark said: “This is a good start to a difficult run of games for us.
“We’ll be looking to produce a similar performance attacking wise at Hartlepool, but we know it’s never easy there, so we’re already focusing on that match.”
Town reserves are in action against Rotherham at Emley this afternoon (2.00).
Town’s home League I clash with Millwall scheduled for Saturday, April 17, has been brought forward 24 hours to the Friday night (7.45) to be shown live on Sky TV.
