We gave everything, says Evans

The 2-0 triumph was an important stride towards Championship safety and with the bottom three all losing, the gap to the drop zone is now up to nine points with ten games remaining.

The manager was extra proud it was achieved with the help of two new faces in the back four. Danny Lafferty made his debut on loan from Burnley and 18-year-old centre-half Farrend Rawson came in from Derby County on an emergency youth loan and also contributed to a rare clean sheet.

Evans said: “Fortune favours the brave. I had to make some big decisions and as I told the chairman, I’ll get smashed if they don’t go right. Our defending hasn’t been good enough but today the whole team to a man gave everything for the shirt.

“If we work as hard as that then we’ll win games, but nothing has been achieved. We’ve got a good three points, that’s six out of nine for the week, and we’ll get ready for a huge game next weekend at the New York against a Wigan side that has some talented players, eight or nine of which played in the Premier League last season.”

Kari Arnason, pushed into midfield, crashed the ball home from Jack Hunt’s low cross a minute before half time to open the scoring. It was the Iceland international’s second goal in three games.

The advantage was doubled on the hour mark when the recalled Conor Sammon finished off a good passing move with a crisp finish. The only black mark was the late dismissal of Lee Frecklington on his return to the side for two bookable offences.

He will miss next weekend’s game through suspension but skipper Craig Morgan (knee) is poised to return. Paul Green and Danny Ward, who sat out the latest win due to knocks, will also be striving to be fit in time.